ISLAMABAD: Veteran PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar said that he had advised Nawaz Sharif to tone down his criticism against army and judiciary in the wake of his ouster by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Nisar said that he had opposed Nawaz Sharif from going to the Supreme Court  in the Panama case.

“After the Panama verdict, I went straight to Nawaz Sahrif and advised him to concentrate on the next general elections and dial back his tone and tenor against judiciary and army.” "Nawaz Sharif told me how can it be possible." 

“Who had asked us to go to the Supreme Court Who had asked us to accept the JIT We did. Who had asked to make a televised speech We did. And when you go to the Supreme Court and write a letter to set up a judicial commission and when an adverse ruling comes, we are to blame. I maintain that only the Supreme Court can undo the Supreme Court’s decision. We should not reach a point of no return.”

 “Let me clarify that I am not upset with my party. I have no demands. I have never demanded any position within my party. I had served as a minister thrice even before joining the PML-N. I am a founder member of this party. Although Nawaz Sharif has been the leader of this party, but there were 25 founder members. Except me, not a single founder member is with the party now.”

Nisar regretted that at least four members of  Musharraf government were elected as  senators by the PML-N. "I have no grudge against them.  In fact some are very good friends. But it's a matter of principle."

The former minister said that he had serious reservations about the Senate elections, but  yet he voted for his party's candidates. "I had to leave my ministry due to  my stance."

He lamented that Nawaz Sharif and his daughter kept taunting him in media talks in one way or the other.  "I have carried the burden of PML-N and Nawaz Sharif for 25 years, but I will not become a lackey of anyone."

He said that PML-N media cell had been running a malicious campaign against him. 

"I had always stood with Nawaz Sharif whenever there was a civil-military tension." "I always try  to be  a devil's advocate.  But I cannot tolerate the personal insults and character assassination from anyone."

He said that he had written a letter to Nawaz Sharif to call a meeting of CEC to hold consultation  on Dawn Leaks and other issues, but  he never got a response. 

"I had been a PML-N's loyalist for 35 years but I was cornered just because I differ with their point of view," he said. 

No intention to quit PML-N

"I have no intention to leave the party. But what the future holds for me will come to fore in the next two to three months," he said.

He said that he would contest the elections on one national and two provincial assembly seats. 

He said Pakistan has been facing dangerous times and the biggest responsibility  was on Nawaz Sharif to steer the country out of crises. 

Nisar voiced his disappointment at both Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan for singling out army over election's meddling. 

He further said that he was also disappointed with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. "He (Prime Minister Abbasi) should have invited the army chief, DG ISI and other top officials to address the issues facing the country," he said. 

"The statement such as the existence of aliens  is like another Dawn Leaks. The Dawn Leaks report should be made public and it will unravel everything."

He said that what kind of a message was given to the world through false Dawn Leaks that civilian government and military were not on same page. 

"The Dawn report was based on lies and false quotes. The impression it created was wrong."

"I felt ashamed to learn that Nawaz Sharif was not an ideological worker. I thought we represented the right  wing."

"Our first responsibility is to protect the country and then our party. This should be our manifesto and narrative. I will try to play a proactive role in the  party in the days to come."

The PML-N leader said he often meets Shehbaz Sharif. "I always meet Shehbaz Sharif whenever I visit Lahore even when are no political matters to be discussed."

Nisar said that all media reports about him joining the PTI were misplaced and exaggerated.