LAHORE, June 14: A meeting of heads of ARD parties will be held in London on July 2, as scheduled earlier, alliance sources said on Wednesday, dismissing reports that the meeting could be delayed by a few days.

It is said that PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto wanted the meeting rescheduled in view of her engagements, and her desire was conveyed to the PML-N top leadership.

Mian Nawaz Sharif, according to sources, said that delay in holding the meeting, even if for a few days, would send a negative message to the people.

When his views were conveyed to Ms Bhutto, she agreed to adjust her engagements.

“The meeting will be held on schedule. Arrangements for it are being made. All ARD parties will participate”, a top ARD leader said while talking to Dawn.

He said almost all leaders had submitted their documents to the British High Commission to get visas.

The ARD meeting would be followed by an all-party conference, the date for which would be decided by leaders of the 16-party coalition.

“We’ll like the APC to be held in Pakistan in the presence of the exiled leaders”, an ARD leader said.

According to reliable sources, the PPP’s delegation will be led by Ms Benazir Bhutto. Makhddom Amin Fahim, Jehangir Badr, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Raza Rabani, Sherry Rehman, Safdar Abbasi and Wajid Shamsul Hasan are other members of the PPP who will participate in the meeting. —Staff Reporter