Lahore attack forces Nisar to skip politics at media talk

• Interior minister keeps anxious media, public waiting for ‘indefinite period’ about his ‘unknown’ intentions

MIAN ABRAR/SHAH NAWAZ MOHAL

Minister for Interior Affairs Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan – known for speaking for hours without a break on the floors of both houses of the parliament, or at hurriedly called pressers – failed to utter a single word regarding his ‘differences’ with Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Monday at a crowded press conference at the Punjab House.

Nisar postponed his much-awaited press conference again after a terror attack in Lahore, which killed at least 26. “I have been ill, but I would rather go back [again] than discuss politics when a tragedy has hit the country. I wanted to share lot of things with you. But I can’t discuss politics due to the unfortunate incident,” he said.

When the minister said he had issued a directive to authorities concerned to take action against those FIA officials involved in torture against journalists at PIMS, it seemed that he (minister) was still in charge of all departments under his ministry and also that he had no plans to quit.

While Nisar had postponed his scheduled presser on Sunday amid rumours about his intentions to tender resignation as the federal minister on pretext of a severe backache, he kept anxious media houses and public waiting for an indefinite period, claiming he could not speak on political issues due to the tragic bomb blast in Lahore only a few moments before the presser.

With a hand supporting his back, Nisar appeared before the media complaining of a back problem. It is to note that instead of sitting in an armchair to speak to the media, the minister preferred to speak to the media while standing, risking more pressure on his spine.

It is vital to mention here that the some ruling party members have already told Pakistan Today that Nisar had been using media to pressurise the prime minister, which had worked wonders for him in the past. A lawmaker said that the prime minister had flatly rejected almost all the demands put forth by Nisar; after failing to attain his desired goals, Nisar decided to retreat.

The interior minister wanted a guarantee from the prime minister not to appoint any of his adversaries as the prime minister, in case Prime Minister Nawaz is disqualified by the court. “The PM House has conveyed to Nisar that since party’s clear decision is that the prime minister would not tender resignation, so the question about anyone being appointed the prime minister is irrelevant,” the lawmaker said.

“As far as disqualification is concerned we believe that there is no evidence against the prime minister so let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” he said. Prime Minister’s spokesperson Dr Musadik Malik also made it clear that Nisar was going nowhere. The statement from the spokesperson came hours before interior minister’s news conference.

Reacting to media reports about Nisar, Musadik said that the interior minister would neither resign from his post nor would he leave the party. Commenting on differences of the minister, he said the PML-N was a democratic party and it was Nisar’s right to express his opinion. On July 21, 2017, the Supreme Court reserved its judgment in Panama Case verdict. In the afternoon, Nisar announced that he’ll address a press conference on July 23.

However, no agenda was announced, no topic was given, and thus the rumour mill went into overdrive. Bets were placed on whether he’ll stay or whether he’ll go, whether he’ll resign and if he does what party will he join afterwards? On Sunday (July 23), Nisar postponed the press conference till the next day, citing back pain.

On July 24, though Nisar did show up, even pointed out the blast in Lahore and told the hall full of reporters in the Punjab House that “let us discuss politics some other time,” but left within minutes. The keen observers of the politics are divided over the Nisar saga, where some believe that he is buying more time to make up his mind and increase his leverage and bargaining power, whereas others opine that he has no option left and has no party to go to.

Chaudhary Nisar hails from a privileged, military background and his loyalty to PML-N is beyond doubt and reproach – because he has been with the same lot for the past 35 years.

Minister for Finance Senator Ishaq Dar jumped into the issue just two and half hours before Nisar’s presser and met with him to resolve what the conflicting issues persisting in his mind. The meeting was continued for two hours at the Punjab House and the visiting minister tried to remove the conundrums that led to his rift with the other party leaders.