RIYADH – A number of rumours stirred after former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif landed in Saudi Arabia last week, claiming a deal is being cooked in the Arab country.
However, CM Shehbaz while talking to Daily Pakistan termed all such rumours “baseless” and said that the recent tour was not of political or personal nature.
Shehbaz said he was to visit the country to perform Umrah and this time Saudi authorities hounoured him by sending a special plane for him.
The chief minister, who is expected to leave for Pakistan today, said that he will talk about his visit after reaching Pakistan.
During his visit, Shehbaz Sharif also held a couple of meetings with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud, where matters of mutual interest were discussed.
The chief minister also hailed the role of Saudi Arabia in the ongoing Palestine issue regarding recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital by US President Donald Trump, reported private media.
Meanwhile, Punjab government spokesperson Mohammad Ahmed Khan also rejected the rumours regarding Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia baseless.
Rumours claimed that Sharif brothers reached the Arab state to strike a NRO like deal in order to avoid corruption cases, improve relations with royal family that deteriorated due to refusing aid against Yemen and for other matters.
Ahmed Khan said that such statements were being spread to gain vested political interests by the rivals. He said that sending an air craft by Saudi government for the chief minister was a matter of honour, adding that speculating this move was not in national interest.
He further said no any propaganda against the brotherly relations of both countries will succeed.
