Chaudhry Nisar’s influence fading away?

E-Paper | March 12, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The influence of mighty Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan seems to be fading away in the aftermath of May 11 general elections as the “Lahori group” within the PML-N ranks has been strengthened due to some adverse poll results.

Nisar, who has been elected to lower house of the Parliament for the record eighth time, is known for wielding a great deal of influence over the Sharif brothers. His friendship with Shahbaz Sharif dated back to early days of their political careers.

The strongest personality in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after the two Sharifs, Nisar was simultaneously respected and hated by the leaders of his own party. Hardly anyone within the party had guts to challenge his authority.

However, something different has happened in the aftermath of May 11 general elections. The PML-N lost two key Rawalpindi constituencies of NA-55 and NA-56. It also suffered a setback in NA-48 Islamabad. Moreover, Ghulam Sarwar Khan of the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) defeated the PML-N in NA-53 Taxila.

The PML-N had awarded tickets to Anjum Aqeel Khan (NA-48), Hanif Abbasi (NA-56) and Shakeel Awan (NA-55) at the behest of Chaudhry Nisar. He himself contested elections against PTI’s Sarwar Khan and lost.

Interestingly before the general elections, a parliamentary board had suggested PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif to not give tickets to Aqeel, Abbasi and Awan. It had warned that the party would lose those important seats by fielding wrong candidates. However, Chaudhry Nisar prevailed and made Nawaz Sharif ignore the recommendations of the board.

“We had categorically requested Mian Sahab to not award them with NA tickets. We had a fair analysis they would lose the elections,” Syed Zafar Ali Shah, who headed the parliamentary board told Dawn.com.

The second setback for Chaudhry Nisar was the nomination of Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for the office of National Assembly Speaker. The PML-N president made that decision against the whims and wishes of mythical Nisar.

Last Friday, while talking to journalists, Chaudhry Nisar had ruled out the possibility of Ayaz Sadiq becoming the NA Speaker. He categorically questioned how all the important slots could be given to people hailing from Lahore. The PML-N president proved his most trusted comrade wrong.

When Sardar Ayaz came to submit his nomination papers to the NA Secretariat, on Sunday, Chaudhry Nisar did not accompany him.

The PML-N sources said that “Lahori group” in the incoming ruling party is now far stronger than it was before. Senator Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Asif, Pervez Rashid, Ahsan Iqbal, Ayaz Sadiq among others are likely to call the shots in important matters from now onwards.

The wrangling between Malik Riaz of Bahria Town and Chaudhry Nisar is also an open secret. It would be interesting to observe the moves of the latter, in case he becomes the Interior Minister.

Follow Shahzad Raza on twitter @shahz79

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Syed Ahmed

Jun 02, 2013 09:32pm

Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan of Rawalpindi is not suitable to hold the post of Interior Minister. He is most suitable as Minister of Water and Power.

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Jun 02, 2013 09:48pm

It reminds me of the 2nd term of Nawaz Sharif. Dawn published a report during his 2nd term that top 40 positions of the country were given to the people from Lahore. When the position of President of Pakistan became available, late Abba Ji, used his influence to get Justice Tarar elected, ignoring calls to elect someome from smaller province. Lets hope 3rd term see some different attitude by Noon League. Also, if Ch. Nisar acted like Saif-ur-Rehman, who headed Ehtisab Bureau, it will be a mess. He may bring down Nawaz Sharif down due to his bone headed attitude.

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Siddiqui A

Jun 02, 2013 11:45pm

Sharif brothers got doomed so many time because of CN's ill advises.

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Emm

Jun 03, 2013 12:19am

Chaudhry Nisar has the habit of being critical as a fashion and habit. His time should have come a while back.

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Moeen

Jun 03, 2013 12:56am

From Pakistani down to Punjabi and now down to Lahori. Next will be down to Model Town !!! One does not have to wonder why ethnicity and favouritism has destroyed the country.

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Jun 03, 2013 03:43am

Making ch. Nisar Interior Minister would serve to minimize his influence in the long run.thats a dirty job.he will be dealing with supreme court and law and order situations in the county,he doesn't have the patience for that job.it will also serve to buffer Nawaz Sharif from criticism for a while.but be careful for what you wish for!.he could also become a big headache for Nawaz Sharif.he will also be dealing with all the Musharraf cases and that in itself can cause a lot of bad or even ugly problems. he will also have problems dealing with KPK and SINDH Governments.I think at this time for country's sake a little more diplomatic person is needed as Interior Minister!.

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Hasan Hasni

Jun 03, 2013 04:16am

Generally merit is important but in our country friendship is more important and rewarding. But injustices have to end. May be this is the beginning of the end. Mr Nisar needs to renounce green card of his family at next drone attack in protest. Nothing will happen and injustices will remain in our society, hope I am wrong.

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Yawar

Jun 03, 2013 05:10am

For someone to be elected, he needs to give the impression that he is hard working, competent, and he should be able to speak well, and of course be charismatic and likable. Chaudhry Nisar's problem is that he is neither charismatic nor likable. His other problem is that he created too much friction and enmities with powerful individuals and organizations. You cant do that if you want to do well politically.

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Jun 03, 2013 05:26am

I salute president Asif Ali Zardari, he had done an outstanding job for the people of Pakistan, a first ever transition and a great transfer of power, country will remember him a great leader. He work very hard to bring all one platform and that was to serve the country. Ch. Nasir had served Muslim league N for sometimes and it is natural that internal matters take precedence. May I advise, Pakistan is more important then any thing else. Yes, his preferred candidate lost the election, would it mean the second choice would had won the election, there was no security. Imran Khan and his party is an emerging party in Pakistan. Thus, I wish all of you

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Jun 03, 2013 05:27am

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Anwer Pasha

Jun 03, 2013 05:42am

He is busy in a war with world's mo st power full land mafia . Malik Riaz and his mafia are using billions against him along with their all well known sources .

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ASFAR HESHAME

Jun 03, 2013 11:50am

i dont even consider ch nisar as a leader as we all know very well now that he is not even a college graduate yet posed as an intellectual, Dear ch sahab time is changing thick and very fast so think about going college again Good luck

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Mohammad

Jun 03, 2013 11:51am

Ch. Nisar is the only non Kashmiri- Non Butt in Noon league who sustained his position throughout these years. He's an Aitchisonian & not a public school graduate who work & live on emotions. He made it sure that he's not dumped by Mians, as like 100's of other like Mian Azhar, Javed Hashmi, & many others. He made it sure that Mians don't make deal with Zardari by ignoring him. Ayaz Sadiq selection is actually a clear shut-up call by NS to Ch. Nisar. AA - Your analysis is now probably going to be written in our history. I have actually started listening to his different interviews by putting aside my traditional hatred with Zardari. The more I read/listen to his words, the more I realize that the guy is an intellectual genius, starting from Mumbai attacks (non-state actors) to his patience to criticism , he's simply a great selfless national leader. I am sorry that I cannot say this thing about his wife.

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ahsan

Jun 03, 2013 03:37pm

thts the difference between pti and pml n.ch nisar asked nawaz sharif tht now he desrve to be cm punjab. he was outrightly rejected my nawaz. so its a lesson for all pml n individuals. dont ever think of getting top offices of pml n. it belongs to nawaz and his family. if any other persons going to get those offices is either maryam or hamza. so all pml n supporters be ready to be slave of yur upcomming leaders maryam and hamza.no matter how much u make effort in scorching sun. these air conditioned born leaders will lead u

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