Shahbaz rules out meeting with Altaf Hussain

Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday dismissed media reports regarding his expected meeting with Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain in London in connection with formation of 'grand opposition alliance' as he left for a five-day visit to United Kingdom.
Shahbaz Sharif, who is also PML-N's president has reportedly been mandated by party's chief Mian Nawaz Sharif to establish direct contacts with major political parties hostile to the government including MQM for an expected move to get rid of the current set up. His visit to London was widely reported in the media to be in line with the PML-N's drive for an expected opposition alliance where he was reported to meet with MQM's chief.
"No possibility of meeting with MQM leadership", Shahbaz told media persons at Benazir International Airport before leaving for London, adding the media reports in this regard are of no value. About the purpose of his London tour, the chief minister said that his visit was aimed at securing foreign co-operation in various sectors including the education sector. During the visit, Shahbaz said he would talk to the British authorities regarding the projects launched by Punjab government for the improvement of the education system. Another objective is to improve Pakistan's image abroad, he added.
He further that Punjab government has completely changed the concept of foreign tours as they are supposed to be result-oriented for public welfare.
Though PML-N and MQM had hostile relationship in the past but political analysts are of the view that there is no final say in politics and both the parties can get to gather on a minimum defined agenda for any movement against the government. They opined that if PML-Q can enter in a political alliance with the PPP then any alliance of PML-N with MQM could not be ruled out.
The PML-N's chief Nawaz Sharif had also given a green signal for a possible opposition alliance with MQM saying his party's reservations against any other political party of the opposition will not hamper formation of a grand alliance if all other opposition parties desired so against the government.