Shehbaz holds another meeting with Nisar; discusses various political issues
Sources said the two leaders discussed the recent defection of PML-N lawmakers from south Punjab
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and disgruntled party leader Chaudhry Nisar met once more on Sunday — reportedly their third meeting in a week.
According to sources, the two discussed various party issues, including astrategyfor the upcoming general elections and ways to strengthen the party, along withShehbaz’s recent trip to Karachi and Peshawar.
Moreover, according to sources, the two party leaders discussed in the two-hour-long meeting the recent defection of PML-N lawmakers fromsouth Punjab.
The rift between Nisar, a veteran party leader from Rawalpindi, and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif has been brewing since July last year following Nawaz's disqualification and subsequent public offensive against his ouster.
On Saturday, Nisar, in a statement, said that it seems that the country's biggest problem is whether he gets aparty ticket for the upcoming elections or not.
Nisar's statement came after Nawaz's daughter and upcoming party leader Maryam criticised on Friday people “not hopeful of getting tickets from the PML-N” wanting to join rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Maryam was likely responding to reports that Nisar may be joining the PTI — PML-N's arch nemesis.
Earlier, Nisar had saidhe would not become part of any decision that makes Maryam the party's leader.
Furthermore, in February it was reported that Nawaz had parted ways with his longtime associate Nisar and decided to not extend an invitation to him for the Central Working Committee session.
Nisar has also in the past publicly expressed reservations with senior PML-N leadership.
He also refused to be part of a new cabinet after Nawaz , the then PML-N president, was disqualified as prime minister.
Nisar, at various occasions, advised Nawaz not adopt a confrontational approach following his disqualification but the PML-N supremo ignored the advice and indirectly criticised Nisar as well.