LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is leaving for London on Saturday (today) to discuss political scenario with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is already in the UK to look after his ailing wife.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Nawaz has called a party meeting, which is expected to be attended among others by Ishaq Dar, Pervaiz Rashid, Hamza Shahbaz and Maryam Nawaz.

In the wake of passage of clause 203 of the Electoral Reforms Bill, the meeting is expected to discuss the electoral reforms and next party leadership.

Sources say the meeting will also discuss NA-120 by-election results, wherein the PML-N saw voting trend on the lower side as compared to its performance in 2013 elections.

Sources, however, say the London meeting will not hold consultation on Justice Baqar Najafi report after the Lahore High Court ordered to make it public.

They say the government is filing an appeal in Lahore High Court on Saturday (today) against the decision of the single bench regarding release of the judicial inquiry report.

“The chief minister’s leaving for London has nothing to do with the Najafi report and consequent LHC order to make it public,” a source in the government told Dawn.

Though there is no confirmation on the return of the chief minister, sources say he may take three to four days.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2017