Nawaz expresses displeasure over failed Faizabad operation

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif chaired an informal consultative meeting of Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) leaders on Tuesday where he discussed, among other matters, the government's handling of the Faizabad sit-in.

In the meeting held at Punjab House, the ousted prime minister expressed displeasure at the government's 'failure' in handling the weekslong Faizabad sit-in and the ensuing operation, which resulted in 200 injuries in Islamabad and prompted countrywide protests.

Nawaz also separately met with Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal and State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry. The participants of the meeting also discussed the situation arising following the resignation of Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid and deliberated over the measures to be taken next. The corruption references against the former premier and his family were also discussed in the meeting. Earlier today, the accountability court hearing the corruption references against Nawaz and his family did not conduct any proceedings due to the absence of the defence counsel.

The defence then requested the court to adjourn the hearing on grounds that the Islamabad High Court is expected to rule this week on Nawaz's request to club the three references against him into one. The hearing was adjourned until December 4.