LAHORE, Jan 9: A rare opportunity offered by the simultaneous presence of former prime ministers Mian Nawaz Sharif and Ms Benazir Bhutto in the UAE to meet each other at lunch on Monday and hammer out a strategy to fight their “common enemy” was deferred by mutual consent in view of the death of the Dubai ruler.

However, a three-member PPP delegation comprising Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Dr Safdar Abbasi and Qasim Zia paid a courtesy call on Mr Sharif at the Dubai residence of former finance minister Ishaq Dar. The two sides renewed their resolve to continue their struggle for democracy from the ARD’s platform.

Sources say the two former prime ministers would now meet in London, where Mr Sharif would shift immediately after getting British visa.

A PPP leader said: “Had it taken place, it would have been a high-profile meeting. And there is ban on political activities in the UAE. The atmosphere of grief and sorrow because of the death of the Dubai ruler was yet another reason for the cancellation of the Sharif-Benazir meeting.”

PML-N leader Ishaq Dar said the two parties had excellent cooperation on the ARD’s platform and were working according to instructions from their respective leaders.

He said Mr Sharif was busy during the first two days of his visit while on Monday Ms Bhutto was scheduled to leave for the United States along with her children to celebrate Eid with her husband Asif Zardari.

“Mr Sharif fully appreciates the situation,” he said.

According to a statement issued by the PML-N, Mr Sharif said while talking to the PPP delegation that deviation from the Constitution was the root cause of all political, economic and social problems of the country. He said adherence to the Constitution in letter and spirit was imperative to make Pakistan a sovereign, respectable and prosperous country.

“Restoration of the Constitution and an end to dictatorship was problem number one,” said the exiled former prime minister.

He warned that any compromise on the Constitution —as it stood on October 12, 1999 — would make the future of the country bleak.

However, he said, the ARD could consider any proposal for the establishment of an interim government, formation of an independent election commission for fresh elections, transfer of power and the restoration of the Constitution.

Mr Sharif hoped that the MMA leadership would also play its role to steer the country out of the prevailing situation.

According to the statement, Mr Sharif said had he given preference to his personal interests than to those of the country he would not have had to face jails or banishment.