Shahbaz meets Nisar to prevent him from holding press conference

ISLAMABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday met with disgruntled Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to woo and prevent him from discussing party matters with the media.

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League – N is attempting to narrow the differences of the federal minister with the party. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique were also present at the Punjab House.

During the four-hour long meeting, Shahbaz Sharif requested Nisar not to hold a press conference to discuss party matters, and instead resolve them with dialogue and discussion with the party. He said that Nisar was a valuable asset for the party.

Nisar reportedly apprised over his reservations with the party, and assured to resolve them with mutual discussion. He said that he has a dignified stance based on moral principles, while he has never considered himself above the party.

He reiterated his stance over the Panama Papers case and the Joint Investigation Team’s probe of the Sharif family. He also reassured that he would remain loyal to the party and would not part ways.

Shahbaz Sharif said that he would apprise the Prime Minister upon his return from an official visit to Maldives.

Nisar was scheduled to hold a much-anticipated presser on Sunday which was postponed over health. Nisar came to address on Monday but did not discuss political issues over the Lahore blast.

It was widely speculated that Nisar might quit his ministry or even his three-decade old association with the PML-N, after statements of various party leaders which he had discussed with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.