Do not intend to meet Nawaz Sharif, Tareen says as rumours float

LAHORE: Estranged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Khan Tareen has denied he has had any recent contact with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the UK, reported The News.

"Neither have I been contacted nor do I have any intention to contact the PML-N leadership; my loyalty is with the PTI and I stand by Imran Khan," Tareen told The News from the UK.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah had recently claimed that there had been contact between Nawaz and Tareen. Both Nawaz and Tareen are in the UK for treatment purposes. 

However, Tareen had denied any such development, saying he has been a party loyalist and like other stalwarts, has contributed to bringing the PTI to a successful position. Going against the party line was out of the question, he said.

Tareen seems to have fallen out of favour with the ruling party ever since he was blamed for playing a major role in the sugar crisis that struck earlier this year. 

The politician had earlier refuted reports of meeting the PML-N supremo while in UK, saying he had neither met Nawaz nor did he wish to and that the media cell of the former prime minister's party was spreading fake news.

In an audio statement, Tareen said "our [PTI] struggle has been against them", referring to the PML-N.

"I have neither met Nawaz Sharif nor do I wish to [meet him]," he had said.

"I am not an opportunistic politician to go to them [Nawaz Sharif and the PML-N] just because I have developed differences with Imran Khan," he said of the premier.

"I am a principled politician, I tried my best with the PTI," he had added, noting that if there were any problems, it was not his fault. "I am just sitting separately; whatever is acceptable to God will happen."

Reports of differences within the party leadership have been rife, especially between Tareen and Federal Minister Asad Umar over various issues.

Sources had said Tareen has been unhappy over the way some senior party leaders who are also the cabinet members, as well as some top bureaucrats who have been running the affairs of the government and whom he blames for lowering the popularity graph of the party.