Khan’s presence in London sparks speculations

ISLAMABAD: Former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s visit to London has sparked speculations that he will approach deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-nawaz (PML-N) President Shahbaz Sharif for key meetings.

Ahead of his visit, reports suggested the former PML-N stalwart would hold important meetings with the Sharif brothers and discuss the political situation back home. There were even reports that former finance minister Ishaq Dar is mediating a so-called patch up between the two sides.

However, PML-N officials said a patch-up is highly unlikely, as the party has no intention of taking him back. A source added: “It is really an uphill task and I don’t see it happening anytime in the near future.”

Even though Khan has a long association with Dar and Shahbaz and has not severed ties with some PML-N members since his departure from the party, the sources said a single visit to London would not repair the damage that was caused when Khan publicly spoke against the elder Sharif and Maryam Nawaz. Also, it is wrong to speculate that Nisar is in London with a message to rejoin the party as he has not openly expressed any such wish, officials added.

Khan has stayed out of media spotlight since he parted ways with the PML-N in 2018 after a 34-year association. His departure from the party came after he publicly spoke of his differences with the Sharif brothers and expressed his displeasure over their decisions. His silence has been construed by many as a rethink on his decision to leave the party. He was last seen publicly during the funeral of the late Kulsoom Nawaz in Lahore.

Although several people expect the former PML-N leader to pay Nawaz Sharif a visit to inquire after his health, the sources said the former prime minister has not indicated that he is ready to receive him. Shahbaz too will not engage in any political conversation with him till his elder brother changes his mind.

Although the possibility of an informal meeting between Dar, Shahbaz and Khan has not been ruled out, any major party decision regarding the former minister will be taken by Sharif.

The rift between the Sharifs and Khan widened significantly when the latter in 2018 said he would not beg the PML-N’S parliamentary committee for an election ticket. He had also criticised the PML-N for having become a “family party,” which he said made it impossible for him to stay in it even though he had never really wanted to quit it.