Nisar says can’t accept Maryam as his leader

LAHORE: Senior Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader and former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday said he could not accept daughter of former prime minister Maryam Nawaz as his political leader.

“A child is a child, how can I accept her (my) leader? Her role is so far restricted to daughter of my friend only,” he said.

Albeit, people would decide for her role once she formally entered the politics and made a public profile, he said. He also shunned the impression that the PML-N wanted Maryam to be a leader like former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

Conceding that he had differences with Nawaz, he said he could co-exist with Nawaz Sharif despite all the differences.

The former interior minister said Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was made prime minister after consultation with him as he was the senior most member of the PML-N after Nawaz. We cannot even think of grouping in the party, he said, however, he was against confrontation of institutions.

He said Shahbaz Sharif was the most suitable candidate to head the party after Nawaz Sharif.

Talking to a local TV channel, Nisar also termed Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan as a noble person and an old friend. He said they were both acquainted with each other since their schooldays and they had many things in common. He said he faced criticism from within his party for acquaintance with the PTI chief.