Sharif duo, PML-N leadership in Saudi Arabia as Nawaz lands in Riyadh

LEFT: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif speaks during a news conference in Islamabad, Pakistan, September 26, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood/Files; CENTRE: Chief Minister of Punjab Shehbaz Sharif gestures after appearing before a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) in Islamabad, Pakistan, June 17, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood/Files; RIGHT: Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique. Geo.tv via Geo News/Files1 RIYADH: Former Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif arrived here in Saudi Arabia Saturday night, confirming sources' statement earlier in the day that he would be travelling to the Kingdom and would return January 2, 2018, for his next court hearing. Sharif ? who also leads the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ? was welcomed at Riyadh airport by Khan Hasham bin Siddique, the country's ambassador to Saudi Arabia. The ex-prime minister joined his brother, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique ? both of whom are already in the Kingdom. According to Mussadiq Malik ? the adviser to incumbent Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi ? Shehbaz is on a personal visit to Saudi Arabia and will also perform Umrah. During its visit to Saudi Arabia, the PML-N leadership is expected to meet with notables, including Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. Later, the Sharif brothers are also expected to tour London after concluding their trip to the Kingdom, sources had disclosed. Not 'necessary' that trips are political Nawaz leaves today to join Shehbaz, Saad Rafique in Saudi Arabia During the Saudi visit, the PML-N leadership is expected to meet with important personalities including Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman A day prior, Rana Sanaullah ? the Minister for Law in Punjab ? while speaking on Geo News' talk show Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Ke Saath had said the Sharif brothers will discuss the issues the Muslim Ummah and the region face at present during their visit. Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif ?will not be talking about national matters; they will be discussing issues being faced by the Muslim world and the region,? he had said. On the other hand, Sanaullah had, however, rejected the opponents' speculation that the former prime minister was trying to obtain another National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). ?If Saudi Arabia is getting an NRO done, then where is the other party?? he had remarked. Separately, in Quetta, Ahsan Iqbal ? the Minister of Interior Affairs ? had downplayed the Sharif duo's trip to the Kingdom, saying Muslims gather there all year round for religious purposes. "It isn't necessary that the trips are political in nature," he said. Similarly, Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan had commented that Saudi Arabia's involvement in Pakistani politics is nothing new.