ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari will return to Pakistan on September 8 after cutting short his London visit, according to credible Pakistan Peoples Party sources. President Zardari planned to stay in London for another three to four days.
However, he decided to return amid growing political developments in Pakistan.
The debate over new provinces and administrative units has recently intensified. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal proposed creating 12 to 15 provinces across the country.
He also called for a national political dialogue to discuss administrative restructuring.
Meanwhile, the PPP has strongly opposed dividing Sindh into new provinces. The party maintains that any province requires constitutional procedures, political consensus and public support.
Family Members to Stay in London
President Zardari arrived in London from Vienna on September 1 after spending five days in Austria on a private visit.
Former federal minister Dr Asim Hussain and Senator Saleem Mandviwalla accompanied him during the trip.
Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari joined their father in London two days later.
However, both will remain in Britain for about another week and will return separately.
Bilawal travelled from Paris, while Bakhtawar arrived with her husband, Mahmood Chaudhry, and their children.
Reports had linked Zardari’s Austria visit to a possible marriage proposal for Bilawal. However, Bilawal rejected the reports.
He said no engagement or marriage had taken place and denied knowing any “Princess Gloria”. He added that his family would announce any decision about his personal life.
