Shahbaz invites Opp parties for alliance

LONDON - PML-N leader and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif Sunday invited all the Opposition parties including MQM for forming a grand alliance to 'throw out the 'corrupt PPP-led government. Talking to reporters on his arrival at the Heathrow Airport, Shahbaz said that the national situation has deteriorated to a dangerous level, and stressed that all the opposition parties, including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), need to unite on a single platform. When asked about the possibility of his meeting with MQM chief Altaf Hussain, the PML-N leader did not give any clear answer, saying that doors for dialogue are open to all the parties. The Punjab CM who is on a 5-day official visit, from July 4 to 8, would meet British Prime Minister David Cameron, secretary for interior and other British officials. Earlier, while talking to reporters on Benazir International Airport Islamabad, Shahbaz Sharif said that meeting with Altaf Hussain was not on his seclude and dismissed the news in this regard to be just rumours. Shahbaz said that the Punjab government officials in last three years made as few visits to UK as possible under the austerity policy. But whatever visits were made they aimed at bringing foreign investment to Pakistan, he added. He said that he would discuss different development projects with the British officials during his visit. One of the prime purposes of his visit is to reorient the education system to bring it at par with the world standards with the help of the United Kingdom. Staff Reporter from Lahore adds: Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif left for UK on Sunday, but before his departure he made it clear to the media that no meeting with MQM Quaid Altaf Hussain was scheduled during his stay in London. 'It is all gossip, he said while talking to reporters at Islamabad Airport. He said there was no truth in reports that he was going to meet Altaf Hussain. Giving details of his engagements in London, Shahbaz said he would be discussing uplift projects with UK officials, and hoped that his visit would strengthen relations with the UK. He said that one of the objectives of his visit was to modernise education sector and to raise it to international standard with the British cooperation for the benefit of local students. Shahbaz said that he would also take the opportunity to promote a better image of Pakistan abroad. He further said that Punjab government had changed the concept of foreign visits and provincial authorities undertook minimum visits during the last three years which were not pleasure trips but were aimed at bringing investment to the country through meaningful efforts. The delegation included Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, Minister for Education Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Minister for Finance Kamran Michael and Members National and Provincial Assemblies. The Chief Minister said that each and every moment of his stay in UK will be utilised for the lofty purpose of acquiring cooperation in different sectors so that the objectives of the visit could be achieved. He said that the members of the delegation were Ambassadors of Pakistan and every effort would be made to promote the image of the country. He further said that matters of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation would be discussed with the British leadership.