Nawaz, Nisar end silent differences

ISLAMABAD: An in-house and informal meeting of the top leadership consisting of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid and Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq culminated in return of Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in active and assertive fold of the ruling PML-N here on Tuesday.
Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif was conspicuous by his absence as he too was maintaining distance from the Chaudhry to the extent that both haven’t been seen talking to each other for months.
“It was family reunion and one should not have yakked about it outside,” one of the participants remarked in a lighter vein when asked by The News to offer comments about the episode after the get-together. The meeting continued for more than two hours to have threadbare deliberations about the state of relationship between the top brass of the party. The leaders had a candid discussion and exchange of views in a frank manner where party’s domestic issues were sorted out and overall national policies also came up for deliberations in a relaxed way. Interestingly none of the participants, including Nawaz and Ch Nisar, ever acknowledged of having differences between them publicly but kite flying had been rife for months.
Ch Nisar Ali Khan is known for his sensitivity about the issues before him. He is more loved than respected by the party leadership due to his nobility. Well-placed sources told that the ‘quiet’ difference were in existence pertaining to the ties between the PML-N and PPP with particular reference to corruption and Asif Zardari, follow-up actions with regard to the National Action Plan (NAP) including activation of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) and provision of promised funds for the same and non-adherence of the non-interference in the affairs of the Interior Ministry from outside. He has been assured of addressing the grievances.
The prime minister pointed out that country is facing enormous challenges and it needs cohesive efforts by the whole leadership to rid the country of the complexities. He assured Ch Nisar that his status in the hierarchy of the party couldn’t be taken away by anyone, as he is dignified and scrupulously honest and sincere to the cause of the country and party. “We are proud of your faculties and role in the national affairs,” the premier reportedly remarked.
Nisar was warmly welcomed by Nawaz in his traditional way on arrival in the chamber of the prime minister in the PM House where they had been together hundreds of times in the last twenty-two years. Nisar made it clear to the leadership that offices are not important to him as he is loyal to the party and leadership to the extent of his faith. He told the leadership and colleagues that national interests are always dear to him beyond any consideration. “Parting the ways had never been my option and never even thought of by me.”
Shahbaz Sharif played a major role for the ‘patch-up’ appreciated the two and felicitated them since it was decent and happy ending of ‘silent distance.’ Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Ch Nisar shook hands with all in attendance before leaving the chamber.
The prime minister and interior minister drove together in the premier’s limousine to the PM Office where the federal cabinet had an important meeting. The members of the cabinet cherished the occasion when the two entered the conference room shoulder-to-shoulder where the cabinet held its budget-specific important meeting.