Nawaz Sharif is still PML-N president: Ahsan Iqbal

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said late Thursday that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was still the president of Pakistan Mulsim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Speaking to media in Lahore, the PML-N leader accused National Accountability Bureau (NAB) of causing chaos and disunity among government departments, asserting that Nawaz is still the chairperson of PML-N. He maintained that the ruling party was adamant to not let the government bodies divide.
Earlier in the day, Iqbal told a private news channel that any efforts to target the former PM and PML-N will fail, Radio Pakistan reported.
“The country’s economy has strengthened because of the Nawaz’s dynamic leadership and prudent policies,” he said.
On the matter of choosing the party’s head following Supreme Court’s verdict that disqualified Nawaz as the president of the PML-N, Iqbal said consultations are under way and the announcement will be made soon.

Financial Action Task Force
Speaking on the FATF resolution moved by the United States, Iqbal regretted how the global community is discussing to declare Pakistan a terror-financing economy.
“Pakistan’s enemies are united and want to destabilise the country,” he said. “Pakistan’s sacrifices are incomparable. No other country has done as much as Pakistan to fight terrorism. He added that in order to have peace, Pakistan must adopt ways of developed countries.
“Pakistan’s sacrifices are incomparable. No other country has done as much as Pakistan to fight terrorism,” the interior minister said, adding that in order to have peace, Pakistan must adopt ways of developed countries.
“It is imperative to have peace and stability to progress like a developed country,” Iqbal said, “And that is only possible when people give up their petty personal rifts and focus on the more important realities.”

On Pakistan Super League
Talking about the on-going Pakistan Super League in the UAE, the interior minister expressed satisfaction over the country’s current situation saying that the “playgrounds are coming alive”.
“It is a good time for the youth to come forward and work [for betterment of the country],” Iqbal added.
On Wednesday, Nawaz chaired an ‘informal’ party huddle at Punjab House to discuss the existing situation and appointment of the N-League’s acting president.
Although, the PML-N officially remain tight-lipped on the details of the meeting, party sources said the meeting participants including Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi were critical of the Supreme Court’s order to disqualify Sharif and voiced support for Sharif’s leadership as the party’s ‘guardian’, even though he can no longer hold any official portfolio.
Under the PML-N’s constitution, the N-League’s Central Working Committee is required to appoint an acting president within seven days of the removal of a party head and elect a regular president within 45 days.