By Muhammad Luqman
Weary of the hawkish attitude of some members of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s cabinet, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan has announced to quit politics whenever the Supreme Court announces final verdict on money laundering case against Prime Minister and his family.
“ I will leave the ministry and even the membership of the national assembly whenever the supreme court announces verdict of the case whether it is in favour of Nawaz Sharif or against him,” Chaudhary Nisar told a press conference in Islamabad on Thursday.
However, the interior minister assured that he would not leave Nawaz Sharif in lurch even if apex court decides against him (disqualifies him).
Nisar said that it had become very difficult for him to practice politics in the present circumstances.
He advised the Prime Minister to remain cool in case of winning or losing the Panama Leaks case.
At the news conference, Nisar Ali Khan was very critical of the ministers and certain members of national assembly who had been using very harsh language against the opponents.
However, soon after the press conference, the spokesman of the minister clarified that the minister did not mean giving up politics or ministry after the Supreme Court verdict.
Chaudhary Nisar’s decision to exit politics after the upcoming Supreme Court verdict, is being considered as a severe blow to the government of Nawaz Sharif who is under the cloud after the Panama Papers Leaks showed that his sons and daughter were among 450 Pakistanis, possessing had off-shore companies.
The damning report of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) appointed by the Supreme Court and the campaign of the opposition parties demanding Prime Minister’s resignation has left Nawaz Sharif under severe pressure.
According to political analysts, Nisar’s decision to leave ministry may lead to disintegration of ruling Muslim League that had undergone similar situation after the 1999 military coup.
Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan, 63, joined active politics in 1985 after he was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan from constituency NA-52 (Rawalpindi-III).
Khan has been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since 1985 representing Rawalpindi, serving as Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly from 2008 to 2013.
He came close to Nawaz Sharif during the rule of General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq.
