PML-N's Ishaq Dar, PTI's estranged leader Jahangir Tareen hold talks: sources

• Sources say both leaders spoke about no-confidence motion moved against Usman Buzdar in Punjab Assembly.
• Tareen and Dar agree to keep communication channels open and work together in future.
• Both leaders discuss possible ways of cooperation at Punjab Assembly and at centre.

LONDON: Former finance minister Ishaq Dar and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's former secretary-general Jahangir Khan Tareen have held talks over the current political situation in the country, sources told Geo News on Wednesday.

Sources, within the PML-N and Jahangir Tareen group, told Geo News that both the leaders spoke about the no-confidence motion moved against Usman Buzdar in the Punjab Assembly. Buzdar has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Imran Khan but the resignation is yet to be accepted.

Sources on both sides confirmed that Dar and Tareen spoke over the phone for about half an hour and discussed the current political situation in Pakistan. They also discussed possible ways of cooperation at the Punjab Assembly level and the centre, said the sources.

Tareen and Dar were not available to comment but sources have said that the two leaders have agreed to keep the communication channels open and work together in the future including discussions on bringing a joint candidate for the post of Punjab chief minister.

Jahangir Tareen’s group has played an important role in the politics in the centre and Punjab in recent months.

When the opposition was suppressed and there was not much public agitation for Tareen, his loyalists in the National and Punjab Assembly came to the estranged PTI leader's defence. Tareen’s group has since then largely stood by him and now holds significant sway.

Three weeks ago Shahbaz Sharif sent a bouquet to Jahangir Tareen’s residence in Newbury, United Kingdom, where he is currently staying with his family.

Sources have confirmed that Shahbaz's son Suleman Sharif is in touch with Jahangir and his son Ali Tareen. The bouquet was sent by Suleman on behalf of his father and delivered at the Newbury countryside house of the Tareen family.

Jahangir has not yet met PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif but sources say that the developments have the approval of the former prime minister.

Before Tareen arrived in the UK around six weeks ago, Shahbaz and Jahangir met in Lahore at a house in Model Town.