BAHAWALPUR / QUETTA, March 2: Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani met PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif at the Bahawalpur airport on Monday to explore the possibility of a patch-up between the PPP and the PML-N.

Mr Raisani did not come out of the airport, but Mr Sharif told reporters that talks were “positive”.

He said Mr Raisani was aware of the problems faced by the country and it was his earnest desire to create an atmosphere of harmony among the provinces.

He said Mr Raisani felt that his and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification was not justified.

Addressing the Bahawalpur bar later, Mr Sharif said reconciliation with President Zardari would be possible only on PML-N’s terms -- restoration of independent judiciary, repeal of the 17th Amendment and transfer of all powers to the National Assembly.

On return to Quetta, Mr Raisani told reporters that his meeting with the PML-N leader had been ‘encouraging’ and he hoped to pave the way for defusing the crisis.

He said he had informed Mr Sharif that the government wanted to resolve the crisis through negotiations and in the spirit of reconciliation.

“The response of Mian sahib was very positive and he is willing to resolve the crisis through reconciliation,” Mr Raisani said.

Replying to a question, he said he would visit Islamabad after the Senate election to brief the president and the prime minister on his efforts and “reservations and apprehensions expressed by the PML-N leader”.
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