ISLAMABAD: Prime Min­is­ter Nawaz Sharif spent almost an hour with former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday evening.

According to a statement issued by the PM’s Office, the political situation in the country and development projects planned for the next financial year in Sindh, were discussed in the meeting.

The participation of finance experts from both sides also hinted towards the agenda of the meeting. The PPP co-chairman was accompanied by Sindh Finance Minister Murad Ali Shah and former PPP federal minister for finance, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla. The PM was accompanied by his trusted federal minister for finance, Ishaq Dar.

Also read: Nawaz meets Zardari after endorsing Raza Rabbani for Senate chief

When asked about the meeting, Senator Mandvi­walla said the discussion was a continuation of the process initiated at the all-parties conference (APC) on Wednesday, which was cut short when the PM had to rush to Karachi following the attack on members of the Ismaili community.

“The upcoming federal budget, the pending National Finance Commission (NFC) award and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor were discussed,” he said.

Meanwhile, observers speculated that the ongoing operation in Karachi would have come under discussion as well.

Senator Mandviwalla said other issues did come under discussion, but refused to divulge details.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2015

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