Reports of fissures developing between Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and his party have gained credence following back-to-back meetings between him and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
After being absent from the political scene for a while, Nisar met Shahbaz for the second time in the last three days on Thursday. The Punjab chief minister travelled all the way from Lahore to Islamabad for the meeting, strengthening speculation that this was yet another mission to pacify the interior minister.
Nisar’s relationship with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has soured to such an extent that it gave rise to rumours that the government was looking to replace him as the interior minister. Minister for States and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch was tipped as a likely candidate to replace Nisar amid speculation that the latter would resign.
“There is a misunderstanding between senior party leaders,” a PML-N official told The Express Tribune. “Now the senior leaders have intervened, I’m hopeful the issues will be resolved in the next few days.”
When asked about details, the official candidly said, “Only the party’s senior leadership is privy to such matters.”
Responding to a question, he said Nisar had serious reservations over the intervention of some cabinet members in his affairs. Without disclosing their names, he said “it seems some cabinet members wanted to leave others behind in taking the credit.”
“There are issues but I can say for sure that Nisar is not going to quit the party … that is out of the question,” the official added. Rumours have circulated that Chaudhry Nisar, unhappy at the way his party is running its affairs, is considering joining the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
“Nisar still has the same opinion about PTI and its governance in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. He is not going to join them,” said another PML-N member who recently met the interior minister.
In particular, Nisar is upset with the ruling party’s handling of Pervez Musharraf’s case, non-allocation of funds for internal security in the budget and the launching of the North Waziristan operation.
Senior PML-N leaders, however, denied reports that Nisar had any reservations over these issues.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 4th, 2014.
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@Aamir: @Fakhar Hussain: @Jibran: @Ch. Allah Daad:
Just because he is using "brain" & not playing on emotions, like the rest, now he is "baghi, coward, criminal negligent" & so.n.so?
Having said that; Under the mounting opposition by the "no-brainers" "Pehelwans" he will resign soon before PMLn will make another blunder... kind of ones it recently made in his absence & will be thrown-out of power.
Core problem goes beyond current issues, Nisar wants to be CM of Punjab! Shahbaz was suppose to go in center as Water and Power minister to end loadshedding in 6 months. Sharifs back tracked because of reservations from Khawajas and Dar group. Current issues are icing on the cake. Nisar departure will further dent the PMLn.
@sidra arshad: It had been the other way round. He continued to give policy statements on foreign, law, energy, defense and other affairs but criminally neglected his own ministry.
He is waiting for the decision of establishment if PMLN will finalize to go then he will surely join PTI.
"They are all one and the darkness binds them"
shahbaz will probably replace him with gullu - the new interior minister.
If Ch. Nisar resigns under the mentioned difference of opinion with PML (N) top elite, it will make sense and be a question mark for the legitimacy of democratic norms and political wisdom.
Another BAGHI in making !!!
The honorable thing...resign...before your honor and self respect is dragged and humilated.
Nisar will be joining PAT. Everyone will join Qadri. JIYE QADRI JIYE QADRI
Mr Nisar many times you have not handle your responsibilities well it is great time to change your duties!!
When media says the internal source or senior leader etc. told so...... is there really a source or just a make up story? anyone? just asking.......
Mian Sahib should kick out this coward from our party.
Ha, like we want him in PTI anyway.