‘Fake news’: Nawaz Sharif’s sons deny Saudi travel news

LONDON: Two sons of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif have denied that they have anything to do with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on state expense.

Hassan Nawaz Sharif and Hussain Nawaz Sharif have clarified that fake news has run on some TV channels alleging that they were part of the official delegation to Saudi Arabia.

Hassan Nawaz said that fake news was run about him that he will be travelling from London to Saudi Arabia to meet Shehbaz Sharif and other family members there. Hassan said: “The news run about my Saudi visit is completely fake and run with malicious intentions. I never had any plan to go to Saudi Arabia. I didn’t apply for a visa and I am very much in London. I am in London with my father and I have no plans of visiting Saudi Arabia anytime soon.”

When contacted, Hussain Nawaz said that he arrived in Saudi Arabia on Sunday March 25 on his own expense and alone.

Hussain Nawaz said: “I came to Jeddah on my own expense and am staying at my own house which is an hour away from Haram. Madinah Pak is only 3.5 hours away from my house. We have our own cars, I have no idea who added me in the list and for whatever purpose. I have never used state expense for anything. We have been living and working in Saudi Arabia for over two decades and it’s a well-known fact”.

Shehbaz Sharif’s son-in-law Imran Ali, who lives in London, said he was shocked to see his name on the list. “I am surprised that my name was added to the list. I am not part of any official delegation and I have no immediate travel plans for any place. Someone has published fake news about me.”

Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz reacted after a list started circulating carrying several names of people who will apparently be part of the delegation visiting Saudi Arabia.

The delegation, according to sources, will include the following individuals, among others: PM Shehbaz Sharif, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, BNP-M chief Akhtar Mengal, BAP leader Khalid Magsi and many others.

The same list claimed that from London to Jeddah, Hussain Nawaz and his wife will be part of the delegation. A private TV channel claimed that Hassan Nawaz will also be travelling. Both of them have denied the news.