Ruling party’s ‘assurance’ to Nisar

Amjad Mahmood Published July 26, 2017

LAHORE: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar is unlikely to make public his political differences with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leadership as he has been assured that no change in the chain of command of the federal government will be made against his wishes.

A senior official of the PML-N told Dawn on Tuesday that the change of heart came when Finance Minister Ishaq Dar called on Chaudhry Nisar and assured him that no minister “junior to” him (the interior minister) would be nominated as prime minister in case Nawaz Sharif is disqualified by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case.

The official, privy to the development, said that Chaudhry Nisar had differed with the prime minister over plan of appointing any other minister than the interior minister as the “stopgap arrangement” if he (Mr Sharif) was disqualified.

He quoted Ch Nisar as saying that being opposition leader in the previous tenure of the National Assembly and being senior than his cabinet colleagues (for he has been in the federal cabinet since 1990) he has the first right to replace PM Nawaz.

He said the politician from Chakri was ready to forgo his right only for Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and threatened to resign from the cabinet otherwise.

The interior minister, who had also reportedly been against the way the government had fought the Panama case, had twice invited the media to announce his decision but deferred it in the last two days.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2017

Panamagate

Newspaper

Amjad Mahmood is a Lahore-based reporter for Dawn with over three and a half decades of experience. He covers agricultural issues, as well as Punjab’s politics and governance. He can be found on X at @Amjad012345.

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Zafar

Jul 26, 2017 07:57am

Simply a good decision from both, the PM and the HM.

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khan

Jul 26, 2017 08:03am

good decision

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BigBrother

Jul 26, 2017 08:18am

Look how greedy these people are. This is called horse trading. Shows that they do not care about the masses but themselves. This shows the highest level of greed between this party. When will the citizens of Pakistan dethrone these corrupt people worshipped like pagan god by the masses. How do you all not hold these people accountable and take to the streets. Maybe you all are just as corrupt as all of these so called leaders of the people. You have to fight for your right to Party :)

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Dare

Jul 26, 2017 08:19am

Greed in abundance in ruling class. Lack of principles.

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Irfan

Jul 26, 2017 08:27am

Your principle and integrity are based on this silly things only. What about the corruption and money laundering charges that your party head is facing?

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Hassan

Jul 26, 2017 08:47am

@Dare This is not the greed this is the principle. Nisar is the most trusted and senior person in the party. Although I personally don't like PMLN still I consider Ch. Nisar the most suitable person and a politician who do not compromise on principle. I think PMLN needs people like Ch. Nisar where there is a complete lack of such persons in the party. Pakistan needs people like Ch. Nisar.

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Hassan

Jul 26, 2017 08:48am

Ok where is democracy ChNisar. This should be either on democracy or badshahat style where Ns appoints anyone. Under both scenarios you have slim chances. Conscious is where? You become loyal to country not a person almost convicted.

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Akil Akhtar

Jul 26, 2017 08:51am

still only thinking about themselves...nothing to do whats right for the nation.

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Syed Ahmed

Jul 26, 2017 08:54am

Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has become irrelevant just like the other coterie of PMLN flunkies. As a presumably powerful Interior Minister he had a role to play in the cleansing of the rotten state of affairs of the Government, in differentiating between State, Government, Party and Individuals. With the powerful FIA under him and working with the Judiciary and the Intelligence agencies, both civil and military, he could have initiated and propelled change and accountability from within the Government. But perhaps this was expecting too much from a person with a feudal background and an inflated amour-propre to boot. History is full those who could have, should have, would have but when the opportunity called, they were found wanting.

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Tahir

Jul 26, 2017 08:57am

The man is talking about merit

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Xeeshan

Jul 26, 2017 09:16am

@Dare So abundance of principles of PTI dictate to induct leftovers from other political parties and ditch your own ideological workers.meanwhile appointing an ex PPP minister as your CM in KP and presenting him as an all time saint

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Jul 26, 2017 09:18am

@Dare you will do the same if you get the chance.

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Muhammad

Jul 26, 2017 09:29am

Sorry Ch Nisar you disappointed the nation..I thought you were one rare man with principles within PML-N. Turns out that you too only care about yourself.. nevertheless you are much better than other PML-N ministers and you will make a better PM.

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Farid

Jul 26, 2017 09:50am

No body is worried about the suffering of people. Every one is concerned about the "CHAIR"

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Suleman Sumra

Jul 26, 2017 09:52am

Never ending drama of Pakistan politics!

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ali

Jul 26, 2017 10:00am

wasn't he talking of principles?? oh sorry, I could not pay attention to his party!

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Jul 26, 2017 10:03am

Self, ego and personal interest are above the nation's suffering and deprivation problems. Let see who got the crown in musical chair.

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asad lateef

Jul 26, 2017 10:06am

NS is not going to be disqualified.Mark my words

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M.Mudassir Siddiqui

Jul 26, 2017 10:10am

selfishness at its peak

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Amir

Jul 26, 2017 10:11am

Frustrations among Fortune tellers of Opposition parties.

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Mirzada Khan Kakar

Jul 26, 2017 10:12am

Good remote decision....Ch Nisar will not accept.

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Saad saeed

Jul 26, 2017 10:20am

And you want us to believe that this politics of "principles"?

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nasir s.

Jul 26, 2017 10:21am

Well I am sure he is kept hostage by his dirty secrets. If he leaves them then all will become public. He has been an utter failure as Interior Minister so not much more can be expected of him as Prime Minister.

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S. Lalani

Jul 26, 2017 10:23am

One thing is clear - the PML-N knows that disqualification of NS is now inevitable!

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AKS

Jul 26, 2017 10:24am

What about next tenure? If Pm is disqualified. Now politicians should take stand against family throne and should nominate a politician with consensus. Otherwise they will become slaves for the entire life

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Ammar Khalid

Jul 26, 2017 10:31am

who cares about your differences! The country is in a State of war.

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Ahmed

Jul 26, 2017 10:35am

It is shocking. I thought he was one of the honest ministers in PML-N. What's happening? Greed is consuming everyone

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Justixe

Jul 26, 2017 10:40am

Whist people don't doubt Ch Nisar's integrity, what about his integrity in Dawn Leaks and Did he compromise and let the real culprit go free? Ch Nisar is performing drama in both case i.e. this and in Dawn Leaks. He assured us all that Dawn Leaks investigation will be completed in 3 to 4 days but it took months.

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Jul 26, 2017 10:44am

And here I thought he wanted to distance himself because of corruption. RIP integrity.

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Guzni

Jul 26, 2017 10:51am

Although I believe in political settlements. This exits all over the world. However, in Pakistani politics it has a special place. I hope, wish and pray that CLEAN political settlements take place. Not for individuals. For policies, and parties.

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Abdul R Ranjha

Jul 26, 2017 10:51am

Indeed a gud decision. Chd. Nisar is playing win win.

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Ali Rizvi

Jul 26, 2017 11:05am

Seniority is no eligibility criteria for being the replacement of PM.

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Hatim

Jul 26, 2017 11:09am

So it was always about power and not integrity.

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hamid shafiq

Jul 26, 2017 11:17am

Nisar win the match with out lossing any thing

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Ayub

Jul 26, 2017 11:51am

Every politician in Pakistan has some price and finally CN got it.

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malik humayoun

Jul 26, 2017 12:14pm

Chaudhry Nisar Deserved PM position if SC court Judgement comes against PM Nawaz Or before decision PM Nawaz resign and replace New PM.

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Ali

Jul 26, 2017 12:15pm

Great person Ch nisar doing great things for himself only. Corruption no issue, seniority is big one.

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QADIR KHAN BALOUCH

Jul 26, 2017 12:20pm

Leave PML-N CH-Nisar sb

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Parvez

Jul 26, 2017 12:23pm

In any disciplined organization if you are superseded.......the honorable thing to do is to resign. This what just happened was a political distraction and nothing more.

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Fareed N

Jul 26, 2017 12:31pm

What a gullible nation we are, expecting from Nisar Ali some earth shaking announcement. It was an internal tug of war for personal interests. Nisar Ali did not want to play second fiddle to anyone, may be one exception, Shahbaz Sharif.

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Rubina

Jul 26, 2017 12:39pm

@BigBrother agree 100% We were not expecting anything new from Nisar. All of them are same & that is the reason for them to stick together..... one falls & they all collapse.

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a ali

Jul 26, 2017 12:49pm

nevertheless, this delay has made his much awaited press conference irrelevant and insignificant. who will trust all those sitting in NA ?. not even a single person ( of PMLN ) is interested for looking after what's better for nation. all corrupt, liars and full of deceit. look at those who are vehemently defending NS for a personal matter. I hope SC make them accountable for wasting time which was supposed to be spent on public affairs.

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Ishfaq

Jul 26, 2017 12:58pm

One word for these hungry pmln politicians "VULTURES", we should not allow any politicians that live abroad with luxuries along with their rich families and rule here in this poor country, they are simply not loyal to their nation and just to themselves. nisar or anyone of these pmln politicians are not right for the position of pm since they all are involved in burglary and also protecting their corrupt billionaire master

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M.Bhatty

Jul 26, 2017 01:10pm

TheSe people only think about themselves not the country. There is no vision , no plan , no sense of history , just how to prolong and preserve the rule for themselves and the family. Sometime I wonder what people see in them that they want to leave their and children,s destiny in their hands. There is no plans for schools,hospitals, vision for the future of the nation.There is not single speech from Nawaz to spell out where he wants to take country , specially the young generation . He never comes out in front of Parliment or press to spell it out.

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R Khan

Jul 26, 2017 01:18pm

This is ridiculous! Shows how the mind frame of our ruling elite is. He is concerned that someone 'junior' to him should not become PM. Nothing to do with competence whatsoever.

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Ishfaq

Jul 26, 2017 01:18pm

No one is thinking of what will happen to the billionaire nawaz and his family, will they be end up in jail or will escape to london to continue their luxuries with the looted money

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Aijaz

Jul 26, 2017 01:31pm

Why don't they play the 'musical chairs' game and the winner shall be nominated as the PM of this country. How unfortunate.

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athar

Jul 26, 2017 01:31pm

create a stir and then back out...lol

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Umar

Jul 26, 2017 02:00pm

@Irfan well said

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Tamza

Jul 26, 2017 02:03pm

@Zafar nice! The PM and HM > the Prime Minister and His Majesty!!

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Muhammad Ismail

Jul 26, 2017 02:03pm

This is called lust and greed of power and authority

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asif

Jul 26, 2017 02:03pm

where has the man of principle gone?

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The end is near

Jul 26, 2017 02:07pm

Pakistan is facing the worst form of monarchy. The Sharif's and their gang don't care about Pakistani nation.

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desilionking

Jul 26, 2017 02:08pm

No buddies, this is unacceptable, in the civilized world this is called blackmailing and that's how huge sums of money change hands This type of politics generates: favoritism, nepotism, kills merit, the corruption takes place and country suffers economically, politically, internationally and locally. Time to get rid off these jokers and transfer power into the hands of honest and clean politician provided some checks and balances are there to ensure that they stay on the right path. Long live Pakistan

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faisal

Jul 26, 2017 02:09pm

Does media really think we are going to believe in it.

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BAXAR

Jul 26, 2017 02:14pm

@Aijaz "Why don't they play the 'musical chairs' game " It needs some music that no one is ready to play.

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Jul 26, 2017 03:11pm

Not surprised, Ch Nisar is a power hungry and frustrated man, who speaks well without actions. It's all talk without substance!

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Mehboob Ali Lalani

Jul 26, 2017 03:12pm

This shows that the fight is for the seat and not for the principle for public interest. In democracy PM should be who get majority votes and not junior senior person.

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Zeeshan

Jul 26, 2017 03:14pm

Quest for power. Everyone is hungry. Any way they are corrupt, liers

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WARRIs

Jul 26, 2017 03:58pm

Typical politicians!! Hungry for power and greedy for money and not worried about the sad state of the poor Pakistani nation!!

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Sab se pehle pakistan

Jul 26, 2017 04:04pm

Chaudry Nisar and PML-N government is becoming a joke.

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QADIR KHAN BALOUCH

Jul 26, 2017 04:07pm

Ch sb in govt since 1990 and Chakri is in 1790. Wah Ji ch sb!!

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Sab se pehle pakistan

Jul 26, 2017 04:12pm

@QADIR KHAN BALOUCH : please try and understand his problem. He has a "Back Pain". He deserves to be in the government and rest.

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Shahzada Ayub

Jul 26, 2017 04:17pm

Do whatever is in your power, but be sure you can't suppress this nation long. "From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king"

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Skeptic

Jul 26, 2017 04:25pm

Ok, So enough said already. This speaks volumes about Mr. Nisar's own credibility and wobbly loyalties,

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BROTHER FROM KARACHI

Jul 26, 2017 04:50pm

All of them shall be arrested. They are all criminals for helping his in these crime.

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Too real

Jul 26, 2017 04:50pm

What a big disappointment for the opposition,

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Tree top

Jul 26, 2017 04:52pm

@Dare that's politics, my dear.

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nazar naqvi

Jul 26, 2017 05:28pm

Press briefing was postponed twice till objective was achieved.

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Jul 26, 2017 06:29pm

In my view, Ch Nisar's political career is seriously damaged by Nawaz Sharif. You only have a chance once to express your honest views in press conference - clearly stating your objections and where you stand - with TRUTH or Corrupt practices. You missed this unique opportunity and will regret rest of your life.

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Humanitarian APPROACH

Jul 26, 2017 07:48pm

First total overhaul the PML(N) then replacement

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gullu Badsha

Jul 26, 2017 08:03pm

We have always known Nisar has no backbone.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Jul 26, 2017 09:01pm

Good decision to say away from dirty intra-party politics.

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s.r.reddy

Jul 27, 2017 03:25am

@Dare if there was no greed this panamagate case would not be there

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Sailor

Jul 27, 2017 11:52am

@desilionking Bro can you Name a few Honest, Sincere, graceful, Politicians to start with?? though I appreciate IK for opening our eyes to evaluate current Politicians, but he himself is surrounded with controversies, what we are left with?? that's called a vacuum, we are being sucked into a POWER VACUUM,

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Azmeen

Jul 27, 2017 03:44pm

A good decision

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manzoor

Jul 27, 2017 05:18pm

Ch. Nisar is basically claiming a price of his services. He has been playing his part to stop differences between the establishment and Sharif from exploding at numerous occasions. No mater he has been given the assurance, he is doomed to go back to square one very soon..

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Sarwat

Jul 28, 2017 06:50am

Going crazy after power rather than Pakistan. Where are selfless people, I don't see them anymore.

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Talha shaikh

Jul 29, 2017 12:03am

all credit goes to imran khan who presented the real face of corrupt polititons

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marcus

Jul 29, 2017 05:00am

A PM nominates his ministers. A corrupt PM will nominate cronies regardless on honest they claim to be. Only way to be sure that Pakistan progresses towards a corrupt free political system is to have an early election and let the people decide. At least this time the elections wont be rigged by paying of the returning officers.

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