PM consults Zardari on fragile political situation; greets UAE president.

ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership as well as the newly appointed caretaker chief minister of Punjab Mohsin Naqvi and discussed current political and fragile economic situation in the country.

Separately, the PM also received the ruler of UAE upon his arrival on a private visit to Pakistan.

The prime minister first met former president Asif Zardari and according to the Prime Minister Office (PMO) the two leaders discussed the overall situation in the country.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Aviation Saad Rafiq, Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and PPP leaders Saleem Mandviwala and Dr Asim Hussain attended the meeting.

A source in the PPP said the meeting focused on current political situation, economy and elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The source said it has yet to be decided whether parties in the ruling alliance - Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) - will contest elections in the two provinces, which according to the Constitution, will have to be held within three months after dissolution of assemblies.

Punjab Assembly was dissolved on Jan 14, followed by the provincial assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Jan 18 on the direction of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in an attempt by the party to pressurise the ruling coalition in the centre to hold early election.

During his visit to the Punjab capital, PM Sharif also met one-on-one with the newly appointed caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi and urged him to maintain law...

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