Nisar urges Nawaz to avoid confrontation with courts

Published October 12, 2017
PML-N MNA Chaudhry Nisar addresses a press conference in Islamabad. —DawnNews
PML-N MNA Chaudhry Nisar addresses a press conference in Islamabad. —DawnNews

PML-N MNA and former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar at a press conference in Taxila on Thursday cautioned ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif against locking horns with the judiciary as he and his family face Supreme Court sanctioned accountability references.

"My opinion is that we should fight our case in the courts with full force without any confrontation with courts. This is not right for Nawaz Sharif, the party, institutions or the country," he said.

"I would like to believe that the courts are deciding on the facts of the case presented before them," he added.

Responding to a question about Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif's invitation to the United States for joint action against terrorist groups in Pakistan, Nisar said: "No sovereign country can allow for a joint operation within its borders, nor make such a proposal."

Pakistan is a functioning democracy which has faith in the capabilities of its armed forces and intelligence agencies, he said.

He warned, "if we invite another power to conduct an operation in our country, it is like making a mockery of the country."

"If there is such a proposal," he said, "a similar operation should also be carried out in Afghanistan."

"If anyone is suspicious of some terrorist or militant groups existing in Pakistan, we have proof that terrorists operate in broad daylight in Afghanistan," he said.

Nisar's statement appears to a be response to an Express Tribune report that said Asif had invited the US for a joint operation against the Haqqani Network.

"We have offered American authorities to visit Pakistan with evidence of Haqqani network’s safe havens in the country. If they find any activity [of Haqqanis] in the targeted areas, our troops along with the US would destroy them once and for all," he was quoted by Express Tribune as saying.

Responding to a question about Asif's 'put our house in order' remarks, Nisar asked: "Who has stopped us from cleaning our own house? No one. This is not an issue which requires repeated statements."

"Be it the prime minister or his ministers, if they spend their time putting our house in order rather than making statements, it would be better for the country. But when it comes to repeated statements, the narrative of countries like US and India finds credence. I can only request them to not lend credence to this narrative," he said.

Opinion

Respite needed

Respite needed

All one can fear is a familiar accounting exercise that aims to extract a few more rupees from a narrow, weary economic base.

Editorial

Soft on traders
08 Jun, 2026

Soft on traders

THE Fixed Tax Asaan Scheme for traders with an annual turnover of up to Rs200m has been designed as a ‘pragmatic...
Ceasefire in name
Updated 08 Jun, 2026

Ceasefire in name

Both sides accuse the other of violating the truce that was supposed to halt the conflict in April, yet neither appears willing to abandon negotiations altogether.
Damaged childhoods
08 Jun, 2026

Damaged childhoods

CHILD abuse is so prevalent that the UN ranked Pakistan as the least safe country for children. Even so, more than...
JAAC ban
Updated 07 Jun, 2026

JAAC ban

Though the JAAC’s demands are open to scrutiny, banning any political organisation — as long as it remains committed to peaceful activism — is undemocratic.
GB election
Updated 07 Jun, 2026

GB election

It is important that whichever party ultimately forms the government puts the needs of the people of GB above everything else.
ODI win
07 Jun, 2026

ODI win

AT last, the Pakistan cricket team had something to celebrate: a One-day International series victory against...