LAHORE – Imam-e-Kaaba Dr Saleh bin Muhammad Al-Talib, who is on a visit to Pakistan currently, has reportedly refused to meet former Premier Nawaz Sharif.
According to media reports, the visiting dignitary called on Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif but expressed that he could not meet a controversial political personality, referring to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz ‘Quaid for life’ Nawaz Sharif.
The elder Sharif, who maintains strong personal links with the Saudis had invited Imam-e-Kaaba, Dr Saleh bin Muhammad Al-Talib for meeting at his Jati Umra residence and later at a local hotel, however, the latter refused to meet the former prime minister at any of the said locations, saying that his position did not allow him to meet a controversial personality, Ary News reported.
The Sharif family or Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz has yet to admit or refute the denial of meeting by the Imam-e-Kaaba.
Earlier on Saturday, Dr Saleh bin Muhammad Al-Talib met Chief Minister of Punjab (CM) Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore and discussed challenges being faced by Muslim Ummah. Punjab Auqaf and Religious Affairs Minister Zaeem Qadri and other religious scholars were also present in the meeting.
https://www.facebook.com/ShehbazSharif/videos/1740502922654973/
During the meeting, strategy to cement Pak-Saudi ties was also discussed and interestingly, CM Shehbaz exchanged his views with Imam-e-Kaaba in Arabic.
Dr Saleh bin Muhammad Al-Talib lavished praise on the younger Sharif for development projects in the country.
The Imam-e-Kaaba had arrived in Lahore on a three-day on Wednesday. Markazi Jamiat Ahle-e-Hadith head Allama Sajid Mir and Senator Abul Karim received him from the airport.
