29 April 2005	Friday	19 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1426

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ISLAMABAD, April 28: Former speaker of the National Assembly and Pakistan People’s Party leader Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, who was released on a three-day parole to attend a family wedding, held meetings with several government members, party colleagues and opposition partners here on Thursday, sources told Dawn.

The sources said Mr Gillani, who was released from Adiala Jail on Wednesday night, also held a detailed meeting with Asif Ali Zardari and discussed some important party matters with him.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Gillani said the secretary- general of the Pakistan Muslim League-N, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, PML- N leader Syed Zafar Ali Shah and his own party’s secretary- general Raja Pervez Ashraf also called on him and discussed the current political situation and relationship between the two component parties of the ARD.

Parliamentary secretary of the ARD Izhar Amrohvi also met Mr Gillani and informed him about the current proceedings of the parliament.

Meanwhile, the former speaker also held informal talks with chief whip of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) in the National Assembly Sardar Nasrullah Khan Dreshak, Public Accounts Committee Chairman Malik Allahyar Khan and MNA Riaz Hussain Pirzada. The meeting with the treasury members took place at the wedding ceremony of Mr Gillani’s niece.

It may be mentioned that Mr Gillani is undergoing a seven- year imprisonment at Adiala Jail for allegedly making illegal appointments and misuse of official car.