ISLAMABAD: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is leaving for London where he is expected to meet PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to “discuss the current political situation in the country,” reported The News.

Confirming Bilawal’s departure, PPP Secretary-General Farhatullah Babar told The News that the PPP chairman is meeting Nawaz to congratulate him on the coalition government.

“The main purpose of meeting Nawaz Sharif is to congratulate him on the coalition government and discuss the current political situation,” he said.

Meanwhile, sources said that though there was an understanding between the PPP and the PML-N that Bilawal would take over as the foreign minister, however, he did not take oath despite attending the cabinet oath-taking ceremony as a guest a day earlier. This meant there was some issue in the coalition government and he wanted to resolve it first, the publication reported.

The sources said Bilawal wanted to discuss major issues with Nawaz Sharif for an amicable solution. They said Bilawal also wanted to take up the non-inclusion of the ANP, BNP (Mengal) and Moshin Dawar in the cabinet with Nawaz Sharif.

“If all goes well in talks with Nawaz Sharif, it is expected that Bilawal may take oath as foreign minister on his return from London,” they said.

Meanwhile, PPP Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar excused himself from assuming office as minister of state in the cabinet of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

“I have refused to take the oath as minister of state for personal reasons. I want to focus on upcoming general election and I have also informed the party about my decision,” he said in a statement. His name had been finalised by the PPP leadership but he informed the party about his decision Monday night.