Nawaz Sharif attends dinner at Zardari House

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif attended a dinner reception hosted by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday.

Leaders from almost all the political parties sans the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf were present on the occasion.

The former president invited Nawaz Sharif after the prime minister had complained in a lighter mood that neither Asif Zardari invited him over for meals nor attended one from his (Nawaz’s) side.

The former president responded quickly and invited the Premier over dinner today.

Asif Ali Zardari warmly welcomed the prime minister at his residence and thanked him for his support for Raza Rabbani. The prime minister said the PPP had brought in a good candidate for the slot of Senate Chairman in the shape of Mr Raza Rabbani.

Nawaz Sharif said the nation was faced with issues of energy crisis and terrorism. "We will put in concerted efforts to overcome all the problems," he said.

"We want government to complete its tenure, we will start our politics at the end of government's stint," said Zardari in the presence of Q-League President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Asfandyarwali Khan, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other bigwigs of the Pakistani politics.

Though Mr Zardari had arranged a lavish dinner for the politicians and went on to invite Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister excused himself from sitting at the dinning table as he had confirmed his presence somewhere else for having dinner.