PM, Nisar meet, discuss security

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held a meeting on Tuesday with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan at the PM House in Islamabad. According to sources present at the prime minister's official residence, the two discussed the country's overall security situation. The prime minister directed the interior minister to ensure fool-proof security in major cities and towns in view of the ongoing military operation in the North Waziristan tribal region. Current political situation in the country also came under discussion and both reportedly also shared thoughts on how to tackle Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's (PTI) long march on Islamabad, scheduled to come to a head on August 14. A source said an expected reshuffle in the federal cabinet which may take place in the near future was also discussed. Recently, Chaudhry Nisar had hinted at quitting the interior ministry and had distanced himself from the party. In view of this, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had become active and had called on him in Islamabad twice and as reports came to suggest, finally persuaded him to see the prime minister to sort out matters. Reports had started emerging in mid-June that Nisar was not happy with Nawaz Sharif's leadership. What lent credence to the perception was his prolonged absence from television channels after the Karachi airport came under attack on June 8. Not only that, but Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah had disclosed on the floor of the house that the prime minister could not trace his interior minister between the night of the attack and the next morning. There were reports that the interior minister had been unhappy with the prime minister’s handling of the tussle between the Geo Network and the military establishment. There had also been speculations that Nisar wanted the prime minister to soften his stance against former military ruler retired Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf.