Punjab govt spokesperson refutes statements against Shehbaz?s visit to Saudi Arabia

LAHORE: Punjab government spokesperson Mohammad Ahmed Khan has condemned the allegations levelled against Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif on his visit to Saudi Arabia, saying the statements being spread were baseless. According to the spokesperson, Saudi Arabia is an ally of Pakistan and it was an honour for Shehbaz to be sent an aircraft from there. Mohammad Ahmed added that to criticise the Saudi government or chief minister Punjab on the move was tantamount to being against the national interest. Zardari on Sharifs' Saudi visits: ?No one knows what is cooking? Rumour mill has it that the motive behind the visits could be to negotiate a deal or to save assets, Zardari said The Punjab government spokesperson said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have brotherly ties which no ?negative propaganda? can break. Earlier in the day, Pakistan Peoples Party Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari commented on the Sharif brothers? visit to Saudi Arabia, saying an agreement might be ?cooking? in the country. ?No one knows what is cooking. There are a couple of rumours surrounding their visits to Saudi Arabia,? he said while talking to media. Rumour mill has it that the motive behind the visits could be to negotiate a deal or to save their assets, Zardari added. The former president, however, added ?we respect Saudi Arabia, it is our brotherly state? but added that Pakistan should not take directives from them. People will reject any deal made by Nawaz: PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry raised objection over CM Punjab travelling to Saudi Arabia in an aircraft sent from there Later, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Fawad Chaudhry criticised Shehbaz for flying to Saudi Arabia in an aircraft sent by them, saying a country does not remain sovereign when its rulers take such steps. He added criticisms were hurled at PTI leader Jahangir Tareen purchasing an aircraft, but no one questioned Shehbaz when he flew to Saudi Arabia in an aircraft sent from the kingdom.