FAISALABAD, Dec 9: Signs of split in the Pakistan Muslim League (N) at the district level shocked its patron Nawaz Sharif who took exception to the attitude of the leaders and warned them against carrying the differences too far, sources told Dawn on Sunday.

They said the former prime minister and his brother Shahbaz Sharif, an ex-chief minister, had been separately invited by two rival groups — one headed by former mayor Sher Ali and the other by former deputy opposition leader in Punjab Assembly Rana Sanaullah.

Both the groups extended the Sharifs invitation to address a public gathering in Faisalabad, apprising them of what the local PML-N set-up had in store for the election.

Separate invitations and indication of cracks in the party, sources said, took Nawaz Sharif by surprise and he turned down the invitations to address the public, replying: “We will not visit Faisalabad until the leaders sink differences.” He also warned them of strict action if they showed obstinacy, they added.

Pervez Rashid, political secretary of Mian Nawaz, also visited the district and held meetings with the heads of the warring groups and conveyed to them a clear-cut message of the party patron.

Sources said both the groups joined hands to ensure their leader’s presence at the meeting. Immediately afterwards, the PML-N local leadership finalised arrangements for welcoming Nawaz Sharif who is scheduled to visit the district on Monday (today).

A party office-bearer, who wished not to be named, said the leaders had set aside their grievances for the time being and chosen to remain tight-lipped only to avoid the party leadership’s choler. They would, however, apprise the visiting leaders of the wrongdoings to win their confidence and outwit one another.

As for the schedule for Mr Nawaz, party sources said he would be received at the motorway interchange at 11am and would address the public gathering at Dhobi Ghat Ground at 2pm. The district administration deployed policemen at the venue to provide security to the PML-N leader.