Nisar opts out of govt-opposition talks
Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, a key leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), will not be a part of the high-level team that will negotiate with the government on the timing of the elections and the choosing of a caretaker set-up.
According to sources, Chaudhry Nisar has excused himself from the exercise – and has been replaced with another senior PML-N leader, Raja Zafarul Haq. Initially, those who were part of the negotiation team were the party’s senior-most leaders, Chaudhry Nisar, Senator Ishaq Dar, and MNA Sardar Mehtab Khan Abbasi.
According to sources, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) committee comprises Syed Khurshid Shah, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo and Qamar Zaman Kaira. Back-channel negotiations have begun in Islamabad. Chaudhry Nisar’s absence is being attributed to differences with the party’s leadership over what the opposition’s stand should be on the timing of the next general elections.
Sources claimed that PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif is not in favour of early elections – and wanted to let the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led government complete its tenure or, at most, push for elections in February. On the other hand, the fiery Chaudhry Nisar is said to have been insisting on pressurising the government and pushing for elections in November. The ruling PPP was obviously always in favour of delayed polls.
With Chaudhry Nisar out of the country, the PML-N, according to sources, agreed to go with the PPP’s stand on general elections next year. Upon hearing this, Chaudhry Nisar is said to have refused to be a part of the negotiation team.
In fact, sources claimed, Chaudhry Nisar earlier did not even speak to Prime Minister Rajaz Pervaiz Ashraf on the issue of choosing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
Sardar Mehtab Abbasi while talking with The Express Tribune expressed ignorance about Chaudhry Nisar’s refusal to be part of negotiations with PPP. Confirming the talks, he said negotiating with the PPP was not unusual, given that it is now a constitutional requirement, but claimed that full-fledged talks over the caretaker set up would begin after Ramazan.
Interestingly, Abbasi said that he had taken Chaudhry Nisar ‘into confidence’ over the appointment of Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim – suggesting that the leader of the opposition was not part of the final decision. On when a caretaker set up and the next elections could be held, Abbasi said did not comment, saying that things would become clearer after Ramazan.
Chaudhry Nisar is expected to return to Pakistan on July 22.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 21st, 2012.
COMMENTS (32)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1735819169-0/Express-Tribune---News-Desk-(1)1735819169-0-270x192.webp "all set to roll out e cab service")
@Aslam: Tsunami is a elusion if it happen it will destroy those who asked or arranged for it, however since pasa is no more so the elusion is going to be evaporate soon. Those who are messengers of destroy what prosperity they will bring? If the seed is bad fruit will not be good. Love you all those who are innocent, nice young dreamers for betterment, nothing wrong but your selection of wrong flight will not take you to your destination.
@Logic Europe: I learned a lot from Europe good things one of that is be open minded when judging others, and I see Nisar and Nawaz human not angel, and when I judge them based on their delivery to Pakistan I support them and wish they will do better than last two time. I am satisfied that for me, my society, my country they can delivered so I support them , you do the same please as they are trying for the betterment of Pakistan. We all love Pakistan. And I love you all.
Now they are making grounds for PPP to win the next general election.PMLN comprises of nawaz sharif,nawaz sharif and nawaz sahrif,if any body differs he is shown the door.
hahaha, democracy, it is the philosophy that Nawaz Sharif younger brother Asif Zardari talked about 5 years ago, is the best revenge. and Ch. Nisar is a "leader" hahaaha. Now no "ifs" or "Butts" Corrupt will bite the dust very soon. All "Butts" are feeling the heat of tsunami BUT no will be spare this time.
@Mohd Butt my salams ,sir ,you are the only person suporting Nisar sahab Are you Nisar ?
Gentlemen this called democracy and PMl N leadership allow the members to have their opinion and stand for it, it is not one phone call and 180 dig, turn. We respect Choudary Nisar, with all his contribution to the Pakistan. he is a good leader.
@blithe: Ch Nisar is full of hatred towards anything that he percieves to be against him. He is a cold hearted man for whom decency or common sense are meaningless words. So how you claim he is better than whatchamacallit. Unless you think we need more confrontation in Pakistan rather than reconcilliation. Ch is a looser, his brothers have abandoned him due to his extraordinarily passionate relation with that crazy khadim e ala.
Imran Khan is not a serious/sober guy. He thinks that he can fool the nation so he keeps feeding lies to us. He has nothing to loose and he even lies to his own party members. He may even hate Pakistan as is evident by his claim that he can stop TTP's cruelty in 48 hours or so. He is trumpeting unachievable goals without stating how he'll get the resources for them. Creating a "welfare" islamist state is ridiculous because we can't afford that lux. Pakistan is a poor country. It needs basic free market economy to survive. Any one with little knowledge about how economy works, will laugh at his tall claims of that welfare islamist utopia. Nobody in media or civil society has asked him tough questions yet. He has no answers anyway. He is relying on pro taliban/hardliners vote in KP and southern Punjab. Easing up on Taliban will quickly strangle us all. People wake up! IK IS NOT A PATRIOT, I can swear by my statement.
Mian Sahiban, have missed another chance to score against PPP in NA 151 bye elections. A visit of at least Humza Shabaz could have been sufficient to ensure PPP defeat and it would also have a positive impact on upcoming elections. We would like to request NS and SS to be serious enough in the politics.
@Was A Pakistani. If you are not a Pakistani, you don't have right to jump into the country's matter. You ran away, it is enough to judge your sincerety to the country. People like you, listen your corrupt leaders and try to become intellectuals. The PTI mammoth gathering in Lahore and Karachi was enough to leak the air of PML-N and I hope this air will become, storm-to-storm-to-tsunami and will washed away your corrupt masters.
@Saud, what stupidity you are talking about. These all amendments are made to make the people like you fool. Look at the 18th amendment, where a non-elected party head can sack a sitting elected-MNA/MPA. Open your eyes man. Now stop this Jilayism and look at the realities. Stop blindly supporting these corrupt so-called leaders. Think beyond your personal gains that you got from your party and think for your country only. Maybe you or your relative got one job, but mature nations do not behave like this MAN.
@Jibran: PTI is full of air... They tried to test water in Multan and result is obvious. I can bet SMQ is cursing himself for leaving the government because had he not done it he would be the PM now.
Chaudhary Nisar is Rehman Malik of PML
Now It’s high time he should join PTI or atleast try :)
Talks between PPP & PMLN are utmost necessary...All democratic forces (PPP & PMLN) being the most largest of them, need to work together to secure elections, lest other forces may sabotage elections...Talks of technocrat setup that may be extended to upto 3 years have already been in air...
PTI and logic is 180 degree apart as well...
sub rang barangy lootay hain PTI main.... i wonder how can they form just / corrupt free government as everyone in their party had committed it.. take anyone.. even hashmi is not smudge free from of corruption... i wonder how PTI supporters think that they do not have corruption in their ranks...
this is beyond comprehension....
Mr khan doesnt understand his constitutional dities as leader of opposition No matter who runs the govt , it is the government of pakistan..opposition while criticising has a duty to maintain continuity and funtionality of ghe executive Mr khan has behaved as a reble fighting some foreighn rule No body will miss him if he leaves
It seems like the end credits are about to run for PML(N). Good riddence.
This so clearly proves that Zardar=Nawaz=PPP=PMLN. They are all the same; the parties of the status-quo. I hope InshAllah Nawaz Sharif's 'turn' NEVER comes again.
Nisar and logic are 180 degrees apart.
He is even better than Nawaz sharif and shabaz sharif combine together. It's high time he should quit the PML(N)@blithe:
Finally, PML-N decided to shut him up. He has done more harm to its cause that good. His performance as the leader of opposition has been ZERO (with capital letters). In fact, because of his it ended up losing a stalwart like Javed Hashmi. Cutting him to size was long overdue.
Can we at least try and guarantee relatively free, fair and violence free elections, regardless of whether they are 'early' or 'on time'?
What this country needs more than anything is an electoral process that most of us can have faith in, and if disappointed with the results, have only our choices or apathy towards the electoral process to blame.
When people use the term "Muk Muka" it only shows their ignorance of the laws of this land and its constitution. It was the constitutional consultation between the opposition and the govt that led to the appointment of CEC Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim. The same kind of consultations will lead to the appointment of a caretaker govt. Oh and for the record this amendment in the constitution which requires the govt to consult the opposition was also brought about through the efforts of PMLN. Previously the ruling party was free to appoint the caretaker PM and the CEC. Its encouraging that the youth is taking interest in national politics but please educate your self. Read and digest news about what's happening around you, don't blindly echo the political rhetoric of your leader.
Am i missing a point here? What's to discuss - like all democracies, elections should be held at the end of sitting government's term.
C. Nisar thinks he is the biggest Choudhry in Pakistan. He is leader of the opposition but he behaves that he has already won the next elections and cannot wait to make the next govt. For him consultations mean he has the veto power even though he is just one man army. In a democratic setup it is the consensus and majority that rules not the minority or one man. It is a good omen that PML-N is disintegrating even before coming into power. How can there be a consensus among the parties when PML-N itself cannot agree?
Here or there we don't believe you. Enough of fooling and cruelty.
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan is a million times better than the ultra dovish Ishaq Dar.
And theres Muk Muka right there for you!
Good. Let the elephants fight it out. As long as they don't make it to assemblies in the next elections, I am all for it.