PPP Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif are scheduled to meet in London in the next few days to bridge their differences amid fresh acrimony between the ruling coalition partners over the crackdown against militants in Pakistan's tribal areas.
The PML-N has pulled its ministers out of the federal cabinet in May after the government failed to meet two self-imposed deadlines for restoring the judges sacked by Pervez Musharraf during emergency last year and the two parties have openly differed on the president's ouster.
Sharif recently went to London to be with his wife, who is recuperating in the British capital after surgery. Zardari will travel to London from Dubai, where he is currently visiting his family.
PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar on Tuesday said that Zardari will soon meet Sharif in London.
He told reporters that the date for Zardari's visit to London is yet to be determined. Zardari will have "multiple engagements" during his visit to London and his meeting with Sharif will be one of these.
The proposed meeting will be held against the backdrop of reports of the widening gap between the Pakistan People Party and PML-N over the government's policies. PML-N chief Sharif has said his party was not taken into confidence before the government launched a crackdown against militants in the northwestern tribal belt and hiked petroleum prices.
{{/usCountry}}The proposed meeting will be held against the backdrop of reports of the widening gap between the Pakistan People Party and PML-N over the government's policies. PML-N chief Sharif has said his party was not taken into confidence before the government launched a crackdown against militants in the northwestern tribal belt and hiked petroleum prices.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, Zardari is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and several key ministers in Dubai on Wednesday to discuss relations with the PML-N and the expansion of the federal cabinet.
The meeting is also expected to discuss the future of Musharraf, especially in view of his recent comments that he believes he still has a role to play in steering Pakistan out of crisis.