Fazl refutes reports of his meeting with Zardari in London

LONDON: Hours after media reports of a meeting between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the latter refuted the reports saying the former is in Dubai and not in London.

Speaking to media representatives here in Wakefield, Rehman said there was no need of any secret meeting with the former president and emphasized that he would only meet him publically and will not keep it a secret.

“Zardari is my friend …I have good terms with him,” said the JUI-F chief.

Commenting on Panama Papers revelations, he said the issue has already died, adding that the government and opposition leaders were now meeting to resolve the issue.

Geo News, however, persists with its earlier report of the meeting, in which Fazl advised Zardari to form a consensus with the government on all controversial issues. 

According to sources, Rehman stated during the meeting that Panama leaks should be investigated but specific persons should not be targeted.  “Every type of corruption should be investigated,” he was quoted as saying.

During the meeting, which was held at the PPP leader’s Park Lane residence, Zardari reassured the JUI-F chief that he would not fall for any conspiracy against democracy.

Zardari reportedly also said that his party would not become a part of any conspiracy of those looking for a shortcut to come into power. Sources disclosed that the meeting between Fazlur Rehman and Asif Zardari lasted around three hours.

However, even after Maulana Fazlur Rehman's insistence, no final decision was reached regarding a meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari. 

Prime Minister Nawaz is also in London for a medical checkup.

The prime minister is facing immense pressure from the opposition parties over the disclosures of the Panama Papers as they have demanded him to obtain a clean chit from the judicial commission.