PML-N efforts to appease Chaudhry Nisar fail

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaurdhy Nisar has been absent from several Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) meetings as the party deliberates to chalk out a strategy pertaining to the Panama Papers case. 

Reports from the federal capital indicate that the minister has decided to part ways with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ending his three decade long association with him.

The interior minister is expected to announce his decision during a news conference on Sunday, sources said, adding that he is also likely to announce his resignation as interior minister.

Nisar reportedly said that he remained loyal to Nawaz and never let him down.

Citing sources, Geo News quoted the interior minister as saying that the prime minister has been surrounded by immature individuals, who led him to the present situation.

Sources further said that Nisar was kept out of the consultation process for the past month, adding that he will not leave the party, but also not hold any office.

Nisar advised the premier not to address the nation and appear before the Panama case Joint Investigation Team (JIT), further added close sources.

A spokesman from the interior ministry has denied media reports, adding that rumours will be clarified after the interior minister addresses the news conference on Sunday.

Efforts to appease Nisar fail

Leaders from the PML-N failed to appease a displeased Chaudhry Nisar as the interior minister remained adamant on parting ways with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, sources reported on Saturday.

Sources privy to the latest developments told Geo News Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique and Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer, met the interior minister at Punjab House on Friday amid rumours of his decision to end his longstanding affiliation with Nawaz Sharif.

The ministers, however, failed to appease Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

Nisar is reported to have told the PML-N members he remains bound to party discipline but will not back down from his stance.

‘Nisar will continue to remain with us’

In a series of tweets, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique affirmed Chaudhry Nisar’s association with the PM and the party.

Chaudhry Nisar has a 32-year-long comradeship with PML-N and Nawaz Sharif and he was and will continue to be with us, said Rafique, adding that the interior minister will not back down in testing times and will be at the frontline.

Hitting out at the opponents, Rafique said their notorious wishes would remain unfulfilled and their false allegations and conspiracies would fail to stop the party.

‘Two groups have emerged in PML-N’

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said there are now two groups in the PML-N

“The first group is the bacha group which wants conflict with institutions. The second group which is represented by Chaudhry Nisar which instead of saving personalities wants to save the system.” 

‘Takes courage to leave party’

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief, Sheikh Rashid while speaking to Geo News said Nisar would not be part of the new cabinet but he would also not leave the party.

“It takes courage to leave the party,” Rashid said. 

'Agree with Nisar's objections'

Opposition leader in the National Assembly, Khursheed Shah said he agreed with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar’s objections.

“[My] differences with Nisar aside, his objections are correct that Nawaz Sharif consulted with the junior members of his party and ignored the senior leadership,” Shah remarked, adding that whether Nisar decides to resign or not is the minister’s decision to make.