PM chairs meeting with top political lieutenants in attendance

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was chairing a high-level meeting on Friday on the country’s political and security situation.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) Lt Gen Retd Abdul Qadir Baloch and Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal were present at the meeting.

Also read: Decision to exercise ‘utmost restraint’

The meeting was likely to discuss the country's overall political situation in the light of the protests and rallies being held by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) as well as Thursday's by-election which saw the defeat of Javed Hashmi who although stood as an independent candidate for NA-149 but was being backed by the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N).

The meeting was also expected to discuss the country's internal security situation as well as the recent skirmishes along the Line of Control (LoC) and the working boundary.

Today's meeting of Nawaz Sharif with his top lieutenants comes as his government has suffered a symbolic blow with Hashmi's defeat against PTI-backed candidate Amir Dogar. The PTI is scheduled to hold another public meeting later today in the city of Sargodha where the party is expected to indulge in a grand show of strength over its virtual victory in Multan.

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salman

Oct 17, 2014 12:41pm

Awww...pmln group crying session....how cute!

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Amin Ansari

Oct 17, 2014 12:53pm

PM should be minding the matters of state. Not running political campaigns from the PM House.

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Sammy

Oct 17, 2014 12:59pm

Bring it on Mr Sharif! IK is waiting for you

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jokhio

Oct 17, 2014 01:00pm

Let me disclose the post meeting statement: ""All the participants showed satisfaction and confidence on the leadership of the PM.He was told not to bother about the Dharna and IK as they are 'few' miscreants who are against the progress of Pakistan ,this progress and development was heading in a lightening speed under the dynamic leadership of PM.The PM was also told by the participants that though people of Pakistan are with him yet he must avoid going to public.He was also advised not to hold early elections in the country as the same group of miscreants may sweep the polls thus creating further hurdles in the progress of this country"".

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AJamal

Oct 17, 2014 01:00pm

As expected, NS remains in the state of denial.

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Anarchist

Oct 17, 2014 01:08pm

Look at the names that NS turns for counsel. Not one original thinker or a man known either for political acumen or running the affairs of state. None of them is likely to be candid as they are mostly preoccupied with saving their own seats. What about consulting those who are critical, but sincere and have concrete strategies to address serious challenges the government is facing? Surrounding yourself with cronies is not going to help much.

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Qaiser Ahmed

Oct 17, 2014 01:32pm

Et tu, Brute? (Julius Caesar, 3.1.77). Is this possible here? You never know!

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Mariam

Oct 17, 2014 02:28pm

Go Nawaz Go. This country does not accept you as it PM anymore!

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Sami

Oct 17, 2014 02:28pm

Nashistan, Guftan, Barkhastan. No out come, just waste of time. PMLn has frustrated public due to its incompetence to deal political issues.

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Yasmin Elahi

Oct 17, 2014 02:48pm

Maybe they are scratching their heads and wondering why their all out support and backing wasn't enough for Jawed Hashmi?!

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A Ali

Oct 17, 2014 02:51pm

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his comrades including ch Nisar, Khawajas, Pervaiz Rasheed, Ishaq Dar, Abdul Qadir Baloch and Ahsan Iqbal are tried and tested and proven failures.... in every aspect. until now, they are unable to control Tsunami fever spreading in their home towns........... they are becoming powerless and they are drowning deep under their own very own nose. have not seen such a bunch of jokers repeatedly making mistakes one after another and they again gather to resolve some issues.............. heaven knows what do they discuss and how do they do it. Shahbaz is smart guy.......... though a goon of Lahore but he will betray all these buffoons. pointless and time wasting meetings being chaired by NS our PM. some one please make them realize they are all goners......... in Nov first week latest.

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Annon

Oct 17, 2014 02:56pm

With the same advisors and stubborn personality you always end up in a ditch. Remember you past two terms. This time, you have to face justice and payback the looted money!!!!I Is this message echoed by so many on social media everyday is not enought for your comprehension!!!

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Farooq

Oct 17, 2014 03:29pm

I am surprised at PTI's celebrations at Multan results. After months of massive rallies, sit-ins and non-stop media coverage, their votes in NA 149 dropped by 32000. Their supporters, unlike PMLN supporters, were fully energized and understood the importance of these elections.

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Imran Khan

Oct 17, 2014 03:45pm

Status Quo is rejected

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Qaisar

Oct 17, 2014 03:53pm

His lieutenants are incapable to give hi any useful advise. Probably he can hire some good advisers from IK camp.

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Javed

Oct 17, 2014 04:18pm

Nawaz Please for the sake of our country, step down. Why you dragging our country into ditch. You and Zardai made enough money and robbed as much you both can do. Please you both leave that country and settle some where.

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Javed

Oct 17, 2014 04:20pm

Nawaz brothers, you both not afraid of Allah. How much you want to rob Pakistan. Make a note, you both will suffer a lot here and in Akhira

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Javed

Oct 17, 2014 04:22pm

Pakistanis: just take Zardari, Nawaz brothers out, country will be fine

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Salim A

Oct 17, 2014 04:43pm

The feudal structure is getting rocked by time and people. These feudal are hanging on with their finger nails, hoping to survive a bit longer in this fast changing world. The Titanic is taking water and they don't have the means to save their ship. The crew is leaving one by one.

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Sunil

Oct 17, 2014 04:45pm

PM Nawaz Sharif met the army Gen Shareef Raheel and top political leaders, and on other side PM Narendra Modi meet three defense forces

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Harmony

Oct 17, 2014 05:22pm

A meeting of His Majesty's most loyal 'yes men'!

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salman

Oct 17, 2014 06:53pm

@Farooq I wouldn't say PMLN supporters were not energized.... Maybe you missed Hashmi's own statement where he said PMLN arranged 4000 (yes, 4000) corner meetings for him over two weeks, and that they fully supported him. Maybe you missed the various PMLN ministers and supporters on TV saying they gave full support to Hashmi. Maybe you missed the fact that the multan PMLN district visited Hashmi house on 1st oct and announced their full party support. Maybe you missed the fact that the decision to back Hashmi was taken at a meeting of the PML-N’s parliamentary board, chaired by Hamza Shahbaz Sharif - and it was also decided to support HAshmi financially. Maybe you missed the fact that PMLN hiring planes and dropping leaflets promoting Hashmi a day before the elections... Actually, if you miss so much going on....I see now why you were surprised!

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Azam Khan

Oct 17, 2014 08:13pm

I think they are going to decide today on how they are going to leave the country one by one.

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Azam Khan

Oct 17, 2014 08:15pm

@jokhio, hats off to you. Youv'e hit the nail on the head.

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Saqib

Oct 17, 2014 09:14pm

Let PTI celebrate and under estimate PMLn. Let them forget the roar of the lion. PMLn knows its tge game better then them. There was no real victory in Multan, for Amir Dogar got less votes then Hashmi had for them in the last elections. Even after Imran Khan came down and campaigned for Dogar himself. This proofs that people at the Multan Jalsa came for food and promise of money.

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Raza

Oct 17, 2014 09:16pm

I love how frusted NS has made PTI supporters. Shows how desperate they are. After so many months of daily campaigning PTIs candidate should have won big really big. PTI needs to ponder

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Jacob

Oct 17, 2014 09:34pm

Voter turnout in NA149 by election was low close to 26%. Goes to show how people have rejected the slogan of change. First they dont show up for dharna and then dont care about coming to cast for change.

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Zeenat

Oct 17, 2014 09:38pm

PMLn busy working to make Pakistan strong, while PTI walas busy spreading hate.

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Zeenat

Oct 17, 2014 10:42pm

Keep working PMLn, we'll do jalsas come election time for we have a country to run and resolve the challenges being faced by the masses, unlike PTI who have abondaned KPK and left its people on the mercy of TTP.

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Habibi

Oct 17, 2014 10:55pm

Let haters hate PMLn. Keep up the good work.

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Azam Khan

Oct 18, 2014 05:00am

@Raza, really! I thought it was a confirmed PML(n) seat from the past.

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jamal uddin

Oct 18, 2014 07:54am

While country is relying on life line thrown by IMF, Nawaz Sharif surrounded by his cronies is planning to stick to power at any cost, he is not concerned even though whole country is on downward slope.

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