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LAHORE: President Asif Ali Zardari has left Lahore after spending around two days in the city without meeting the local leadership of his Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), adding to speculation surrounding the political situation within the party. Zardari departed for Islamabad on Sunday after a low-profile visit during which he reportedly held no formal meetings with PPP leaders in Lahore. His stay has drawn particular attention amid unconfirmed reports that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari may have left Pakistan. A senior party figure close to the leadership said the president’s visit was not intended for meetings with the party’s local leadership. According to the source, Zardari had come to Lahore to deal with sensitive and urgent matters away from public attention. The same source acknowledged hearing reports about Bilawal’s possible departure but said he could neither confirm nor reject them. During his stay, Zardari was reported to have held only one known meeting, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who was accompanied by businessman Gohar Ejaz. The president’s arrival also appeared to catch several PPP leaders off guard, with party members saying they had not been informed beforehand. Some PPP leaders reportedly sought meetings with Zardari but were unable to secure appointments. The president’s visit comes at a politically sensitive time for the PPP, which has recently taken a strong position against the creation of new administrative units and criticised the PML-N government over what it describes as excessive reliance on the establishment. Zardari has also recently withheld his assent to the elevation of judges, adding another layer to the growing political tensions. Attempts were made to contact PPP leaders Nadeem Afzal Chan and Shazia Marri for clarification about the reports concerning Bilawal, but no response was received before the report was filed. Meanwhile, PPP Kashmir leader Chaudhary Riaz said Bilawal had left the Kashmir Valley but added that he did not know where the party chairman was currently located.

  Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Raja Nasir Abbas, has said that the government is legally bound to implement the Supreme Court’s decision and expressed hope that the ruling would be implemented today. Speaking during a Senate session, Raja Nasir Abbas said that the Supreme Court’s decision had created a positive atmosphere and provided an opportunity for political forces to move closer to one another. He noted that there had been signs of improvement in the political environment following the court’s ruling. According to the opposition leader, the government is obligated to respect and implement decisions issued by the country’s highest court. He said that the opposition expected the government to comply with the Supreme Court’s decision without further delay. Raja Nasir Abbas emphasized that implementation of the court’s ruling could help maintain a positive political atmosphere. He said that after the Supreme Court decision, the situation appeared to be improving and political sides were gradually coming closer together. He suggested that developments could lead to greater political understanding if the government continued to act responsibly. During his speech, the opposition leader also raised concerns about the health and treatment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and physician Dr Yasmin Rashid, who is currently being held at Kot Lakhpat Jail. Raja Nasir Abbas said that it was the government’s responsibility to protect the health and well-being of people in its custody. He highlighted Yasmin Rashid’s medical condition and expressed concern about the circumstances in which she was being held. According to Abbas, Dr Yasmin Rashid is a cancer patient and has also continued to provide medical assistance to other people even while in prison. He said that despite facing serious health challenges herself, she had remained committed to helping others. The opposition leader further stated that doctors had raised concerns about a problem involving Yasmin Rashid’s spinal vertebrae. He said medical professionals had warned that her condition could become serious and that she might even lose the ability to walk. Abbas argued that, given her medical condition, Yasmin Rashid should not be kept in prison. He called on the government to take medical advice seriously and ensure that prisoners suffering from serious illnesses receive appropriate healthcare. He also expressed concern about conditions inside the prison, particularly the availability of electricity. According to him, there are periods of four hours or more during which electricity is unavailable in the jail. He suggested that such conditions could further worsen the difficulties faced by prisoners, particularly those with serious medical conditions. The opposition leader’s remarks come amid broader political discussions over the treatment of political prisoners and the implementation of judicial decisions. His statement reflects the opposition’s expectation that the government should follow court orders while also ensuring that prisoners receive adequate medical care. Raja Nasir Abbas maintained that respecting judicial decisions and protecting prisoners’ health were both important responsibilities of the state. He urged the government to take immediate steps to address the concerns raised regarding Yasmin Rashid and to ensure that her medical needs are properly addressed. He also expressed optimism that the Supreme Court’s decision could help create a more constructive political environment. According to him, cooperation and implementation of the court’s ruling could contribute to reducing political tensions and improving relations between the government and opposition. The opposition leader concluded by emphasizing the importance of the government fulfilling its legal responsibilities and protecting the health and dignity of individuals in its custody.