Nawaz-Nisar tiff: Shehbaz, Raja Zafar busy effecting a patch-up

Trying to convince Nisar to call off his press talk today or avoid targeting party leadership in it

ISLAMABAD: Senior most PML-N leaders have stepped in to effect a ‘patch-up’ between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his aggrieved yet powerful cabinet member, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who has announced to hold a crucial press conference today (Sunday).

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq are trying to iron out differences between the elder Sharif and the minister and have also consulted the aides close to the premier and Nisar for the purpose, The Express Tribune has learnt.

In today’s much-anticipated press conference, Nisar is likely to share his reservations on policies of the PML-N leadership. However, the minister has strongly denied reports that he would announce stepping down.

“Things are serious but haven’t headed to that point yet,” said a senior PML-N leader while commenting on the reports of Nisar’s resignation.



He said involvement of Shehbaz and Haq for reconciliation between the PM and the minister had much to do with the fact that Nisar holds both the party leaders in high esteem and pays heed to their advices.

“Apart from these two leaders, I wonder if there’s anyone else in the PML-N who enjoys that kind of influence over Nisar and is in a position to bridge the gap between him and anyone else,” he said.

Sources said the PML-N leaders are trying to convince Nisar not to go for a hard-hitting press conference and refrain from targeting policies of his party’s leadership in handling the situation which led to the mess the party is in today.

The senior PML-N leaders are reportedly trying to convince Nisar either to call off his press conference or to avoid targeting the party leadership should he feel inclined to go ahead with addressing the media.

Knowledgeable quarters said the PM is not happy that the interior minister is not on the forefront in dealing with the ongoing crisis.

“They party has been through so much but he (Nisar) is nowhere to be seen. Mian Sahib feels that Nisar, as a top party leader, should have stepped ahead in defence of the PM,” a leader close to Sharif said, while requesting anonymity.



“On the other hand, Nisar believes it was the advices of the PM’s political confidantes – including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar – that led to a situation where the PM is being cornered from all sides and the demands for his resignation have gained momentum.”

According to source, Nisar feels left out as he was not consulted by the PM regarding decisions taken by the federal government and the ruling party to tackle the prevailing challenges.

“Sharif has earned the reputation of giving credence to the advices of those leaders who act in absolute submission more like ‘darbaris’ (courtiers), instead of listening to seasoned party loyalists — something that does not go down well with the likes of Nisar,” he told The Express Tribune.

When approached, Raja Zafarul Haq neither confirmed nor denied the reports that he was playing a role to reconcile Nisar with the PM.

“Small issues keep surfacing in big political parties. We have dealt with similar issues in the past and our party resolves internal disputes with mutual consultation,” he said.

Asked if Nisar was being asked not to hold the press briefing, he avoided a direct answer.