Will not discuss political matters in light of Lahore tragedy, says Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan's 'much awaited' news conference at the Punjab House ended without the minister addressing any political issues. 

Citing the Lahore explosion which has left at least 15 dead and 25 injured, the interior minister said he will not address any political issues today.  

"I had planned on discussing many points today, but in light of the Lahore incident it is not possible for me to talk about political issues, I am sure you all will agree," Nisar said. 

Geo News reported that the minister, suffering from back pain, was advised by doctors to rest for at least one more day before holding a press conference. 

Earlier, reports were doing the round regarding Nisar's 'important' press conference. Sources had said that contrary to popular perception, the presser would not be against the government or the prime minister as the minister was likely to lash out at the role of opposition parties in the Panama Papers affair.

Sources had stated further that the minister may only resign from his ministry in protest if Defence Minister Khawaja Asif becomes the interim premier in case the prime minister leaves office.

Geo News had reported that Nisar was absent from several key Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) meetings recently as the party deliberated to chalk out a strategy pertaining to the Panama Papers case, whose judgment has been reserved by the Supreme Court.

Reports from the federal capital indicated that the minister decided to part ways with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, ending his three-decade long association with him.

Sources said the minister could also announce his resignation during Sunday’s news conference.

Citing sources, Geo News quoted the interior minister as saying that the prime minister has been surrounded by immature individuals, who led him to the present precarious situation.

Sources further said that Nisar was kept out of the consultation process for the past month, adding that he will not leave the party, but also not hold any office.

Nisar advised the premier not to address the nation and appear before the Panama case Joint Investigation Team (JIT), close sources added.

A spokesman from the interior ministry denied all such media reports, saying that rumours will be clarified after the interior minister addresses the media on Sunday.

Appeasement efforts fail

PML-N leaders failed to appease a displeased Nisar as the minister remained adamant on parting ways with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, sources reported on Saturday.

Sources privy to the latest developments told Geo News Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique and Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer met the interior minister at Punjab House on Friday amid rumours of his decision to end his longstanding affiliation with Nawaz Sharif.

The ministers, however, failed to appease Nisar.

Nisar is reported to have told the PML-N members he remains bound to party discipline but will not back down from his stance.

‘Nisar will continue to remain with us’

In a series of tweets, Rafique affirmed Nisar’s association with the prime minister and the party.

Chaudhry Nisar has a 32-year-long comradery with PML-N and Nawaz Sharif and he was and will continue to be with us, said Rafique, adding that the interior minister will not back down in testing times and will be at the frontline.

Hitting out at the opponents, Rafique said their notorious wishes would remain unfulfilled and their false allegations and conspiracies would fail to stop the party.

‘Two groups have emerged in PML-N’

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said there are now two groups in the PML-N.

“The first group is the bacha group which wants conflict with institutions. The second group which is represented by Chaudhry Nisar instead of saving personalities wants to save the system.”

‘Takes courage to leave party’

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid, while speaking to Geo News, said Nisar would not be part of the new cabinet but he would also not leave the party.

“It takes courage to leave the party,” Rashid said.

'Agree with Nisar's objections'

Opposition leader in the National Assembly, Khursheed Shah, said he agreed with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar’s objections.

“[My] differences with Nisar aside, his objections are correct that Nawaz Sharif consulted with the junior members of his party and ignored the senior leadership,” Shah remarked, adding that whether Nisar decides to resign or not is his own decision to make.