MANSEHRA, May 25: The visit of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif to Mansehra exposed rift in the rank and file of his party over the induction of turncoats.

Mr Sharif visited Mansehra on Tuesday and addressed party workers but provincial coordinator of party Sardar Mehtab Abbasi, Lt-Gen (retd) Salahuddin Tirmazi and several other local leaders remained away from the show. “They wanted to express resentment over induction of turncoats and their appointment on key posts in the party's youth wing, headed by Mohammad Safdar, the son-in-law of Mr Sharif,” sources said.

Owing to the resentment shown by his party leaders, Mr Sharif did not inaugurate the office of party youth wing near the venue of the public meeting.

When PML-N chief was addressing the public meeting at the residence of Mr Safdar, another meeting was also being held at the residence of Babar Saleem Swati, the district general secretary of the party Mansehra chapter. Most of the party workers and local leaders, including district president Aslam Khan, were present in the meeting convened by Mr Swati.

The party workers had raised objection over induction of former MPA Sakhi Mohammad Tanoli, his son Naeem Sakhi and Sardar Zahoor in PML-N and their appointment on key posts in youth wing by Mr Safdar.

“Nawaz Sharif went to the residence of Sardar Mehtab Abbasi before coming to Mansehra to address the gathering. He listened to the grievances of the party leaders and said that he would not inaugurate the office of youth wing office,” sources said.