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ISLAMABAD: The outspoken Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan once again voiced his displeasure over the handling of the Panama Papers issue and blamed unnamed advisers for the disastrous situation the party had faced in the wake of Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification.
The former interior minister was speaking at a meeting of the central working committee (CWC) of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which was convened to formally endorse the decision to nominate Senator Yaqoob Khan Nasar as the party’s acting president.
Sources said that Chaudhry Nisar also criticised the party leadership for convening the CWC to endorse a decision that had already been made in Lahore.
“What is the purpose of this meeting when we have already learned about the nomination of the acting party president through media reports?” a source quoted Chaudhry Nisar as saying during the meeting, which was presided over by party chairman Raja Zafarul Haq.
Questions need for CWC meeting after Nasar’s nomination
The meeting, held at Punjab House, was also attended by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
On Wednesday, PML-N Spokesperson Dr Asif Kirmani had announced Senator Nasar’s nomination as the acting president, in line with the party constitution and the notice issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), requiring PML-N to fill the vacancy created by Nawaz Sharif’s ouster.
Sources said Chaudhry Nisar and some other senior party members were unhappy over the role of certain ministers, MNAs and political advisers of Mr Sharif, who had openly critcised the Supreme Court-appointed Joint Investigation Team (JIT) that probed Panamagate.
Those privy to the meeting also quoted Nisar as saying that, in his opinion, the matter of the Panama Papers should not have gone to the Supreme Court in the first place.
Without taking any names, sources said, the minister told the meeting that everyone knew who had brought Nawaz Sharif “to this point”.
At this point, Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri asked Chaudhry Nisar to name those individuals, but the former minister did not.
He, however, endorsed the viewpoints of Khawaja Saad Rafique and Mushahidullah Khan, who had also expressed annoyance with the party’s decision-making process.
The former interior minister was of the view that the party should have avoided a confrontation among institutions. Asking the party members to keep ground realities in mind, Chaudhry Nisar said confrontational politics did not suit the party, or Nawaz Sharif.
At a news conference days before the announcement of the Panama Papers verdict, the former minister had confirmed, for the first time, reports about an internal rift within the party, saying he had been excluded from the consultative process on Panamagate.
The press conference was held after a party delegation, which also included Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, managed to dissuade him from resigning in protest.
Party president
The resolution seeking an endorsement of his nomination as acting president was moved by PML-N deputy secretary general and Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal.
The CWC also passed a resolution lauding Nawaz Sharif’s “leadership role” in ensuring the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution. CWC members vowed that the party would keep working under the patronage of Mr Sharif and continue the movement to strengthen democracy and the people’s right to rule.
Through another resolution, members appreciated the people who attended Nawaz Sharif’s GT Road rally to show their love for the former prime minister.
CWC members also reposed their confidence in Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and the new cabinet.
Senator Nasar, who hails from Loralai, will serve as the interim party head until a new president is elected by the party’s general council.
Although he belongs to Balochistan, Mr Nasar was elected to the Senate from Islamabad.
Sources said this was because the party leadership had been unable to arrive at a decision over who would replace former prime minister Nawaz Sharif as the party chief.
Although Mr Sharif himself had tipped his brother, Shahbaz Sharif, as his replacement, a section of the party disagreed with the decision to move the Punjab chief minister from his key position at such a crucial time.
This meant that PM Abbasi, who was to serve as a stopgap PM until the younger Sharif sibling could be elected to the National Assembly, would continue in office until the next general elections.
Party officials are also claiming that former first lady Begum Kulsoom Nawaz might become the next party president.
Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2017
Comments (41) Closed
Sooner or later Ch Nisar will quit PML-N. He is very different from others in this party. He is the only sane voice.
None of my businness,but Wasn't he supposed to resign????
Fighting for his own survival/relevance post dismissal of his party chief , this has nothing to do with political uprightness
Ch Nisar needs to quit this dynastic party.
Ch Nisar needs to quit this dynastic party.
@Anti-corruption No he will not resign. He knows with election this close he has no chance of winning outside PML N. He is not taking a stance in the party on some principles. Nisar only issue is that he was bypassed in party`s decision making process.
Chaudry Nisar has become completely irrelevant. On the other hand PML-N is completely exposed infront of the public
yes he should quit before spoiling others mind. He is always the best companion of good times only.
Ch Nisar claimed to resign from NA after SC judgment. He didn't. Typical politician.
Kulsoom Nawaz was not the First Lady. This title is reserved for the spouse of the President only.
I agree there is no point to continue in a party that doesn't listen to its own experienced personnel. Unless he is willing to tag along with the party line, Ch Nisar should leave the party now before he is further disagrees and/or is further sidelined.
Resign or not-to-resign, that is the question!
ch.Nisar has been wanting to sit at one side as at the time of verdict he can claim I was not part of any indecent game.He will quite PML-N,
So Ch Nisar could have saved the Sharif's Sultanate and corruption could have remained hidden? Seems to me like a headstrong man only concerned about himself and his masters (now remorsefully) instead of the nation.
"Chaudhry Nisar said confrontational politics did not suit the party, or Nawaz Sharif."
Really, then who was doing it during the 4-day GT Road anti-so and so speeches?
Mr. Nisar is more words less action. Too much talk is never useful. Act or stay quiet.
I am fed up reading Ch Nisar's statements and disagreements with Nawaz Sharif and close associates, etc. My suggestion to him would be - be brave and leave PMLN and openly give your reasons for leaving. Don't be indecision and more you continue this way, your integrity and political vision will be questioned.
Reservation of Ch Nisar over decisions of party's defecto head is logical. He is man of quality as also speak truth without observing whom he is saying.
@Anti-corruption same like Javed Hashmi was in PTI or you think he was insane?
Irrelevance must have some limits even in the PML-N for anybody. Damage is already done despite he had fore warned about its implications. Sometimes it is better to follow through with ones own proclamation(s), politics or not. Both sides have tested each other multiple times and the course is clearly set in line of one and not the other. And that is irrelevance. On a side note, when has merit counted?
I thought he resigned as per his announcement.
@Citizen khan - anybody, who is indecisive, ambiguous and not loyal, is not worth having or holding any position in any political party, irrespective of their views. Whether it is Ch Nisar, Javaid Hashmi or anybody else. For your information, I do not support any political party, I am against, corruption, injustice and want to see my country united, strong, corruption free and where basic necessities of life are provided to its citizens. This is my aim, and I shall continue to express my impartial views without any influence or fear.
What else can he say to stay afloat and remain in the limelight?
Sir do the right thing first for the country and then for the party. You know what the truth is. Please act now.
@Anti-corruption he is no different he wanted to be nominated and was thoroughly disappointed on being set aside and hence all the noise. Otherwise he stood by sharif family despite their corruption
didn't. In reality he thought that his threat of resigning will make him the inheritor of Nawaz league
He is totally confused at this stage. No one is giving importance due to his dual policy. He wants to have cooling relations with beurocarcy and also interested in high profile decision of MLN
@Ali Asghar - Ch. Nisar will always win from his constituency no matter if he is in or out of PMLn. Just a few days ago there was TV programme, interviewing people in his constituency. Almost all had Ch. Nisar's name on their tongue (not PMLn) and they said they will vote for him. Remember Jamshed Dasti wins as independent? That's why they are called 'electables'!
CH Nisar is a leader and should lead PSP.
Fight and struggle for family dynasties and fool the public with democracy, what a shame in a so called democracy where there is only family rule and nothing more.
Pakistan's fast improving judicial system is a blessing for my Pakistani brethren.
@Rick , yes he told us after SC virdict he would resign . He is no longer part of the cabinet because Sharifs and their cronies don't want him.
Nisar Ali is irrelevant. Saving House of Sharifs is the main concern of PML (N).
This is the right choice. But CWC must be taken into confidence.
So unfortunate to see difference of opinion, within party, is not well appreciated.
He found out how odd it is to be not noticed after being in limelight. Soon he is going to join the bandwagon of Imran Khan and PTI.
Nisar is the opportunist...I still rembeber how aitazaz reciprocated and chided him in assembly and he was shut .
As a gentleman he must resigned as he had committed earlier.
This guy deserves to next PMLN chairman.
Muslim league is not a party but a group of persons connected on the basis of interest. Politicians in Muslim leagues have no ideas and values.
He should not quit the PMLN rather raise his voice against authoritative decision making processes. Constructive criticism is great force and gets its recognition in due course of time.
A lot of twists and turns in the statements of former minister.