ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari’s longest sojourn outside the presidency ended on Tuesday when he returned to Islamabad after spending 49 days either abroad or in Sindh.

“The president has reached Islamabad,” his spokesman Farhatullah Babar told Dawn. He will leave for Lahore soon to meet opposition PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif in Raiwind to offer condolences on the recent death of his brother Abbas Sharif.

“According to the schedule, the president was to visit Raiwind on Tuesday but he changed his mind. He is expected to visit Lahore soon,” the spokesman said.

A source in the ruling PPP said the president would stay in Lahore for a few days to consult party leaders and coalition partners on the issue of a new province to be carved out in Punjab. He will also take up the issue with Mr Sharif during his visit to Raiwind.

On Monday, the president spent his 49th day outside the presidency.