ISLAMABAD: The Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Monday refuted all rumours and speculations surrounding the Sharif brothers? visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

?Nawaz will share the visit?s purpose with the nation on his return if he deems appropriate,? Aurangzeb said, adding that some circles are trying to defame the former premier.

?I emphatically reject the speculations and rumours surrounding the visit of Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister of Punjab Shehbaz Sharif to the Kingdom,? she said in a statement.

?The opposition?s efforts to create conflict are evident,? the federal minister said. ?If Nawaz were to make a deal, he would have done it to save his seat [when he was disqualified from holding public office].?

Reports of Nawaz-Saudi deal ?baseless?: spokesman

The statement said that Nawaz has had long-standing relations with the country and there is no truth in these reports

Earlier today, Nawaz's spokesperson had condemned ?baseless? reports and claims by politicians that the former premier was in contact with Saudi Arabia to escape accountability. He had said that Nawaz accepted the court's verdicts and is facing cases.

The statement said that the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) president has had long-standing relations with the country and there is no truth in reports about a possible 'deal' to escape accountability. 

Nawaz has even used his personal contacts for national interest, the spokesman had said.

The Sharif brothers' multiple visits to Saudi Arabia have resulted in criticism by opposition parties. Both Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have questioned the reasons behind the visits.