Zardari calls allies meeting tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned the leaders of the government’s coalition partners on Sunday to hold consultations at the presidency to decide if Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf should appear before the Supreme Court hearing on August 27, Geo News reported.

The Supreme Court last month issued a contempt notice to Prime Minister Ashraf for not implementing its order of writing a letter to the Swiss authorities to reopen a money-laundering case against President Zardari. Mr Ashraf has been asked to appear in person before a five-judge bench headed by Justice Asif Khosa on August 27 to respond to the notice.

The allies meeting summoned for Sunday August 26 by President Zardari would take place at the presidency.

Sources said that the meeting had been called to discuss the Supreme Court’s NRO verdict implementation case after which the final decision on Prime Minister Ashraf’s appearance would be taken.

Earlier the senior leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had held a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency and discussed the possible repercussion if the prime minister did not appear before the court to answer contempt charges.

The allies meeting is also expected to discuss other government matters including the flood-like situation after torrential rains.