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ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Saturday disputed a cabinet colleague’s account of remarks attributed to him, the latest in a spate of rejoinders issued by the senior minister over the past few days.
Appearing in a programme on Geo News on Saturday night, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal tried to dispel the impression that Chaudhry Nisar had distanced himself from the party leadership over the Panama Papers saga and the JIT report.
He claimed that during the recent cabinet meeting, there was a consensus that the way the JIT had been working since its inception did not meet the requirements of justice.
He quoted Chaudhry Nisar as referring to his 35 year-long association with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and describing his loyalty as an asset he was proud of in his political journey.
Nearly an hour after the remarks were broadcast, an interior ministry spokesperson issued a strongly worded statement regretting the remarks attributed to Chaudhry Nisar.
The statement also chided the minister, without naming him, and held such leaders responsible for the situation the government was currently faced with.
It said the interior minister had not made the remarks that were repeatedly being attributed to him by a member of the cabinet.
It should be recalled that while the minister attended the cabinet meeting held earlier this week, he skipped the crucial PML-N parliamentary party meeting, held on Friday, on the basis of prior engagements.
The minster was at pains to state that this should not be misconstrued as something symbolic, since he could not make it to the meeting due to personal engagements.
In the same TV show, Mr Iqbal had also said there was a unanimity of views about the fact that the JIT matter had nothing to do with corruption and was politically-motivated.
The minister had stated, ostensibly in relation to the interior minister, that while one may complain about their advice being ignored, one’s character was defined by their decision to complain or to stand by the individual who was in trouble.
This was Chaudhry Nisar’s third rejoinder over remarks attributed to him in the past week. The minister, who is otherwise known for speaking his mind at press conferences, has hinted that he will soon speak to the media about the situation that had developed in the aftermath of the JIT report.
Immediately after the cabinet meeting on Thursday, the interior ministry spokesperson issued a statement contradicting remarks attributed to the minster that were aired by Geo News.
Terming the reporting “incorrect”, the spokesperson had said that the minister’s remarks in the cabinet meeting were on the record and were altogether different from what was being reported.
The very next day, another statement warned the media to refrain from speculating on the remarks being erroneously attributed to the minister. “There were no heated exchanges at the cabinet meeting, nor did the minister walk out of the meeting,” the statement issued on Friday said.
Observers are attaching great significance to the minister’s repeated attempts at clarifying his stance, which have lent credence to reports that the PML-N is a divided house at the moment. Saturday’s statement by Ahsan Iqbal and the subsequent reaction from Chaudhry Nisar has only cemented this impression further.
Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2017
Comments (24) Closed
Finally, Mr. Nisar is in limelight. He must be enjoying it regardless of the consequences. SAD!
Mr.Nisar is one of the most respectable Muslim League worker and Patriot and his ignorenes is justified because what now a days Sharif Family is doing with Muslim league is totally against the good Political culture. .Nawaz Sharif is using his Political Party to save his wrong doings and corruption. .
It is requested to all PMLN sensible and patriots to join hands with IK in fight against Corruption inorder to create neat and tidy political environment and true democracy in Pakistan for the betterment of people.
@fahimkhalil just relax
Ch. Nisar seems had too much of Nawaz Sharif and his family's contradictory approach in the JIT investigations. If he goes, that is end of PML-N and one-man show politics of Nawaz family
I fail to understand that if Ch Nisar is clean as has been portrayed, then knowing what the truth is why is he not taking action against the PM as an Interior Minister or even resign straightaway. Therefore, he is not as clean as is being portrayed.
Ch. Nisar is an educated and respectable man who always try to remain clear from conspiracies. Dragging him through false disclosers is in bad taste. Misfit .
@Justice agree I am also sick of hearing about so called clean politicians who happily pledge loyalty to a corrupt leader.
@fahimkhalil : unfortunately political parties are not built on Democratic process in Pakistan. They are built around family dynasty. If that family goes down the entire party goes down. Therefore, they have to defend family dynasty.
In India after Indra Gandhi Indian Congress became more democratic, which then strengthened the democratic process further through democratic parties.
In Pakistan there's political parties act. But political parties don't follow it in its true spirit. Everyone is interested in their own piece of pie rather than improvement of the democratic process.
It is time to show unity
Is this bickering within PML(N) for leadership change? Probably it is time to call an election. Let the people control and decide who should lead.
Is their a proof that all properties were bought from corruption money? Every politician and businessman lives in Pakistan with their life style beyond their known source of income? System is rotted to the core.
What else can he say in a mature, civilized, educated and intelligent fashion?
Nawaz Shareef is using PMLN to protect his personal issue. Party has nothing to do with his personal corruptions.
Nisar disappointed me when he defended Nawaz knowing the truth. Anyways, he is a politician and atleast tried his best to remain loyal to pmln. I question, though, loyalty to Pakistan should supercede loyalty to the party.
@fahimkhalil Yeah right!!! Fight corruption by getting rid of the head of NAB in KP??? Fight corruption by avoiding facing the case in Terrorism court? Fight corruption by hiding behind procedures, vs coming clean??? Get real, please!
Politics, Party affiliations, friendships and biradres cannot be above Pakistan. All these old politicians must go we new blood who are sincere, energetic and without any family members or assets abroad.
Nisar Saheb. You are an intelligent person. Please do something for the country to benefit general masses. You may consider running as an independent candidate in the next election with specific promises to serve the people in your constituency. Wish you success in helping and serving the people.
JIT is not about corruption? then why can't has the PML-M leaders lied and submitted fake documents to justify their wealth??
CH Nisar, the only member of substance in PML-N. Don't lose by telling lies.
@Gaz I agree. If CN is man of principle, he will take action against the most corrupt politicains in ruling party or at least would resign. He is no different than those and actually worst as he enjoys the bounties of ruling party and also sides with shallow criticism but takes no real action.
@Jk "Is their a proof that all properties were bought from corruption money?" If there is no proof that the property was bought by legal money, you don't need to prove that it was by corruption money. Any unexplained wealth held by public exchequer holder is corruption money by default.
Ch Nisar is most credible minister in the cabinet, his view is expected to be realistic and proper.
Birds of feather? He is somewhat pretending to be on the sidelines
Nisar its time to take the lead and lead from the front to be the next PM of Pakistan, we rust you...Nisar qadam utaoo-Hum tumharay saath hain...