Zardari seeks unity of allies before US visit
January 13th, 2011 - 4:51 pm ICT by IANS
Islamabad, Jan 13 (IANS) Seeking solidarity among ruling alliance partners on foreign policies, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari held talks with several leaders, including opposition PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, before leaving for a week-long US trip.Zardari separately held telephonic talks Wednesday with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Rehman and Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali Khan to take them into confidence on his visit to the US.
Zardari also consulted Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain over telephone, the News reported.
According to sources, the president took them into confidence about his scheduled meeting with US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.
The president left for the US Wednesday after his meeting with US Vice President Joe Biden in Islamabad. It was first time that before leaving for a foreign visit, Zardari held consultations with national leaders.
The president will join other leaders from around the world to attend a memorial service of Richard Holbrooke, the US special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, who passed away last month.
Zardari’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led coalition government has witnessed a crisis recently after its key ally MQM decided to part ways, putting the government into minority.
The stalemate ended Sunday with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani accepting a list of demands by the main opposition PML-N, headed by former two-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Their demands included taking steps to address endemic corruption and price hikes.
Gilani also succeeded in winning back the support of the MQM.
- Cracks widen in Pakistan's ruling coalition, key ally quits - Dec 21, 2010
- Gilani resolves to launch "jihad" against corruption in Pakistan - Jan 02, 2011
- Another setback for Pakistan government as MQM parts ways (Lead) - Dec 28, 2010
- Breakthrough eludes Gilani in Pakistan's political crisis (Lead) - Jan 03, 2011
- "ANP chief declined Kayani's offer to replace Zardari owing to lack of support" - Dec 02, 2010
- Fazlur Rehman rejects Malik's request to rejoin Pak coalition govt - Dec 29, 2010
- Another setback to PPP-led Pak govt as JUI-F demands Gilani's resignation - Dec 29, 2010
- Corruption, lack of governance threaten Pakistan government - Sep 18, 2010
- PML-N, MQM form alliance against Pakistan government - Jul 06, 2011
- Pakistan, India cannot afford war: Gilani (Lead) - Jan 02, 2011
- Pakistan's ruling party, PML-Q try to corner Nawaz Sharif - Oct 27, 2010
- Gilani heading 45-member delegation for India 'cricket diplomacy' visit - Mar 30, 2011
- Gilani praises Manmohan as "good politician" ahead of 'cricket diplomacy' meet - Mar 30, 2011
- 'Tamed' NAB not pursuing corruption cases against Zardari as well as Sharifs - Mar 15, 2011
- Nawaz advised two-week rest following heart surgery in London hospital - Mar 22, 2011
Tags: altaf hussain, asif ali zardari, awami national party, coalition government, fazl, foreign policies, hilary clinton, jamiat, joe biden, national leaders, nawaz sharif, pakistan muslim league, pakistan muslim league nawaz, pakistan peoples party, president joe, price hikes, prime minister nawaz, richard holbrooke, wali khan, yousuf