Govt decides not to invite opposition
Dinner in honor of Saudi prince
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided not to invite the opposition at the dinner that will be hosted in honor of Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Muhammad bin Salman.
According to sources, Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and former president Asif Ali Zardari have also not been invited. It is pertinent here to mention that leaders from the opposition were invited during the high-level visits in the past. Sources have further revealed that reason behind government's such decision is the ongoing corruption cases and tension with the opposition.
The dinner will be hosted at the Prime Minister House on Saturday and at the President House on Sunday. Let it be known that Muhammad bin Salman will arrive in Islamabad on Saturday on a two-day official visit to Pakistan on the invitation of Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan. The Crown Prince will be accompanied by a high-powered delegation including members of the Saudi Royal family, key ministers and leading businessmen.
This will be the first state-level visit of the dignitary to Pakistan since his elevation to the position of the Crown Prince in April 2017. During his visit, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman will call on the President Dr. Arif Alvi. He will also meet PM Imran and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.