Nisar goes public with grievances against PMLN

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday said he was to resign from his post and the National Assembly but  changed his mind after a couple of meetings with some friends. 

" I had decided I will resign whether decision is in favour of prime minister or against him, and I will not contest election again. i am done with politics " he said while addressing what he said the most difficult press conference of his life to put the speculations about his "differences" with the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz to rest.

He, however, said he is not leaving the party and would stand by Nawaz Sharif.

Nisar Ali Khan said the prime minister would have to keep his feet on the ground if the decision is in his favour.

"I am not angry, why would i be angry when my party leadership is in trouble," he said. He, however, conceded that he was facing conspiracies and difficulties within the party.

Nisar Ali Khan said he had decided to make an extreme decision at a press conference on Sunday. "Had I announced the decision, they would have said i left in difficult time".   Is it insulting to say that I have been sidelined from consultative process."

He said he was the only person who always whispered in Sharif's ear "Nawaz Sharif you are  human". 

"Some of our friends and people from opposition had predicted  Nisar Ali Khan wouldn't leave the PML-N. I took these remarks for myself as an honour," he said. "I dared to speak truth throughout my political career".

Nisar Ali Khan, who otherwise is considered an eloquent speaker, sparked confusion with his remarks which TV interpreted as his decision to quit politics.

Moments after the press conference, a spokesman for the ministry of interior explained that the minister is not going to quit. He said Nisar Ali Khan  was referring to his earlier decision which he had subsequently changed.    

He addressed the press conference after a meeting with Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, Finance minister Ishaq Dar and Railways Minister Kh Saad Rafique at the Punjab House in last-ditch efforts to placate him.

On Wednesday, a high-level delegation of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) met the estranged minister to get his proposed press conference cancelled.