Gilani, Shehbaz take up Senate elections in court meeting

PDM’s consensus candidate for Senate election from Islamabad and former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday met PML-N President and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif at Lahore’s accountability court, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Yousaf Raza Gilani held a meeting with Shehbaz Sharif at courtroom no. 5 of the accountability court II.

Gilani hugged Shehbaz Sharif and enquired about his and Hamza Shehbaz’s health. Both the leaders discussed in detail the coming Senate elections.

Gilani informed the PML-N chief about the strategy for the coming days and also delivered a message from PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Both the leaders also discussed the inconclusive outcome of the NA-75 Daska by-election in their meeting which was also attended by PML-N leaders Ayaz Sadiq, Amir Muqam, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Atta Tarar and PPP leader Makhdoom Ahmad Mahmood.

Talking to newsmen outside the court, Gilani said he was grateful to the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for nominating him as their consensus candidate for the Senate election from Islamabad.

“I will also meet PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz and Akhtar Mengal,” the former prime minister added.

Gilani declared that the PDM is a reality as it had given excellent performance in the by-elections.

Recalling the good old days, Gilani said he had an admirable relation with Shehbaz Sharif when he was the prime minister and the PML-N president was the Punjab chief minister.

Cases hearing

The accountability court Lahore conducted a hearing of the Ramazan Sugar Mills case but the cross-examination of a witness could not take place due to Advocate Amjad Pervaiz’s engagement at the high court.

Summoning two more witnesses, the court adjourned the hearing of the case until March 4.

The accountability court judge Muhammad Akmal Khan also adjourned the hearing of the money laundering case to March 4.

Judge’s caution

During the hearing of the case, the judge notices an unusual rush in the courtroom on which he directed the irrelevant people to leave the room.

The judge remarked “Please don’t crowd the court. Anyone who wants to meet Shehbaz Sharif should go to court-II and Shehbaz will be there when the hearing will conclude. There is a need for everyone to be careful due to the coronavirus.”