Nisar seeks explanation for being excluded from PML-N meetings

Pakistan's Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has sought an explanation for being not called in consultative meetings of ruling Pakistan Muslim League's (PML-N) and wanted to know if the decision was made due to his opposing stance, or due to some other reason.

The interior ministry spokesman on Wednesday was quoted by Dawn as saying that "the truth is that the Interior Minister had adopted a contrary position on some important matters in the PML-N's internal meetings, after which he was excluded from the consultative process".

The spokesperson added that it will be difficult to resolve problems in a positive manner unless a clarification is provided by the party.

According to reports, Nisar would not make his political differences with the PML-N leadership public after he was reportedly assured by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar that no minister junior to him would be nominated as prime minister in the event Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is disqualified by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case.

The interior minister had twice invited the media to make an "important announcement" but deferred the press conference both times.

Nisar has been reportedly unhappy with the way Sharif led PML-government fought the Panamagate case.