Aleem refuses to meet PM Imran, opts to hold talks with Nawaz in London: sources

• At least three high-powered delegations met former Punjab minister prior to his arrival in London, say sources. 
• Government delegates try to convince Aleem to meet PM Khan and find a way forward, per sources.
• Aleem was categorical that premier, after coming to power, had changed and let him down.

LONDON: PTI's disgruntled leader Aleem Khan has decided to part ways with his party and refused to meet Prime Minister Imran Khan before coming to London to hold talks with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.

Aleem — as confirmed by two different sources — sent a message to PM Khan that he was going to meet Nawaz in London.

Trusted sources have shared with Geo News that at least three high-powered delegations met the former Punjab minister prior to his arrival in London. 

The government delegates tried to convince Aleem to meet PM Khan and find a way forward. They also told him that they were meeting him after taking the PM into confidence. 

The ex-minister told them categorically that he was not interested in meeting the PM anymore "no matter what the price," said the source.

At the same time, Aleem was also meeting senior leaders of the PML-N and he held several meetings with Rana Sanaullah.

Hours before Aleem flew to London to meet Nawaz, Federal Ministers Fawad Chaudhary, Pervez Khattak, and Punjab Governor Chaudhary Sarwar met Aleem with an offer to meet the PM and assured him that "all his demands will be accommodated."

Another high-powered meeting was held at the house of one of PM Imran Khan’s advisers. In this meeting, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and the adviser were present. They told Aleem they were meeting him after taking PM Imran Khan into confidence.

The former minister made it clear that he was "unhappy with PM Khan on a number of counts," including his persecution at the hands of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), said the sources.

He also told the government delegations that he believed that things were not managed by the powerful quarters for the Khan government and that many big names will be leaving the party, dissatisfied at how they have been let down.

Aleem told them — according to the sources — that they should convey to Imran Khan that he was going to London to meet Nawaz and there was no way back anymore. 

Aleem categorically said that after coming to power, the PM had changed and let him down. “Attempts were made to destroy me,” he said and told the delegates that he would not have been arrested without the approval of the PM.

Per sources, Sanaullah and other PML-N leaders advised Aleem that it would be best if he met Nawaz in person to take things forward. The meeting was arranged and then the ex-minister flew to London.

After arriving in London, Aleem met Nawaz Sharif that afternoon at 3PM for three hours.