'If I am working well or that if my leadership is not satisfied with my performance, the Prime Minister has the right to take decision on me,' stated Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik. - Photo by AP.

LONDON Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik has refuted rumours of his departure in a possible Cabinet reshuffle expected in the coming weeks.

Responding to a question on a possible change of his portfolio or his outright exit in the wake of the announcement that a Cabinet reshuffle is to take place, he told a news conference at his Central London residence last evening, he said he was answerable to his leadership.

'If I am working well or that if my leadership is not satisfied with my performance, the Prime Minister has the right to take decision on me. However, as far as I know and understanding given to me there is no such truth in these rumours,' he said.

Answering another question on NRO, the Minister said the matter is before the Supreme Court and nobody has the right to impose its views on an issue which is a subjudice matter.

Malik said under section 264, a closed case cannot be reopened.

He also spoke of his meeting with the MQM leader Altaf Hussain and said he delivered messages of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to him.

The Minister said in democracy differences of opinion do exist.

He said MQM differed with PPP on the issue of NRO but this did not mean that either party will abandon each other. 'We are very much allies in Sindh and at the Federal level.'

Malik said during the course of their meeting, it was agreed to solve all issues with mutual understanding. The meeting also decided to ensure mutual consultation between higher leadership of both the political parties for avoiding possible differences in future. — APP

 

Opinion

Editorial

Token austerity
Updated 11 Mar, 2026

Token austerity

The ‘austerity’ measures are a ritualistic response to public anger rather than a sincere attempt to reform state spending.
Lebanon on fire
11 Mar, 2026

Lebanon on fire

WHILE the entire Gulf region has become an active warzone, repercussions of this conflict have spread to the...
Canine crisis
11 Mar, 2026

Canine crisis

KARACHI’S stray dog crisis requires urgent attention. Feral canines can cause serious and lasting physical and...
Iran’s new leader
Updated 10 Mar, 2026

Iran’s new leader

The position is the most powerful in Iran, bringing together clerical authority and political and ideological leadership.
National priorities
10 Mar, 2026

National priorities

EVEN as the country faces heightened risks of attacks from actual terrorists, an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi...
Silenced march
10 Mar, 2026

Silenced march

ON the eve of International Women’s Day, Islamabad Police detained dozens of Aurat March activists who had ...