Nisar advises PM to put house in order but not make Pakistan a laughing stock

ISLAMABAD: Former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has advised Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to “fix the matters of the house” but avoid making the country a laughing stock before the world.

“Nobody has any objection over cleaning the house but instead of making statements, attention should be paid to practical steps,” the former interior minister said on Tuesday while informally talking to media persons at the Punjab House.

When asked to comment on Prime Minister Abbasi’s statement about agreeing with Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif’s remarks about house cleaning, he said that by making such remarks, it gives the impression that Pakistan admits India’s allegations against Pakistan and poses the question whether the Indian government or their politicians admit their crimes in destabilising Pakistan and supporting terror activities.

He emphasised that the anti-terror operations carried out in the country in the last four years have no precedence but still, there is a lot to be done. As such, the government functionaries may pay attention to them and avoid giving statements that strengthen the anti-state forces.

Nisar pointed out that dozens of terrorist camps are operating in Afghanistan that the US is aware of. Many terrorists from these camps cross into Pakistan and have been involved in terrorist activities. Nisar posed the question whether, at any point in time, the US or Afghanistan felt the need for putting the house in order in the war-torn country.

The former interior minister said that he is of the opinion that steps should be taken to overcome the weaknesses but when responsible leaders make them part of their statements, they give credence to the allegations of the enemy that Pakistan is the root cause of terrorist activities.

He challenged anyone doubting his remarks to go through Indian media reports following the statement of Khawaja Asif.

Nisar told the Pakistani leadership that Indian government has never admitted to committing the heinous crimes being carried out by extremist organisations, violence against foreign guests and lynching of  Muslims and other minorities on suspicion of the slaughter of cows.

SHEHBAZ MEETS NISAR:

Sources said that following Nisar’s media talk, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with the former interior minister at Punjab House.

The two leaders reportedly discussed internal party issues and the domestic political scenario during the meeting.