Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif intends to cultivate a robust relationship with top military command after his return from London, thus diminishing the efficacy of his once trusted interlocutor Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali, sources told Daily Times.

The important decision was made in a meeting between the prime minister and Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar earlier this month. Sources said the prime minister wanted to maintain good terms with Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif and other top commanders, in order to avoid any controversy on political and other fronts. Senator Dar warned the prime minister that a political storm was brewing back home, and advised him to maintain close contact with the military leadership in order to safeguard his government and the democracy.

Sources said after that meeting, the prime minister spoke to the army chief multiple times and discussed a wide range of issues. Some reports were shared with prime minister regarding the interior minister’s role in important political issues, leaving the prime minister less than pleased, even though he did not ask for any explanation from the interior minister. He, however, directed his younger brother Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to talk to the interior minister and make him understand the sensitivity of the situation.

Sources said a group of angry PML-N MNAs had complained to Maryam Nawaz about several key ministers, including Chaudhry Nisar, saying they were treating them badly.

It is worth mentioning the interior minister was instrumental in arranging secret meetings between top political and military leaderships in the past. He was also considered a go-between the GHQ and Raiwind, although it seems Senator Dar is taking over that role.

Rumours that Chaudhry Nisar wanted to become interim prime minister created suspicion among the party ranks, with some wondering if the interior minister was ambitious enough to backstab the prime minister. It looks like that Mr. Nisar might be made to pay for these perceptions.