Media ‘guessing game’ irks Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday expressed annoyance with the media for running ‘incorrect’ news stories that he had exchanged harsh words with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during Thursday’s cabinet meeting.

In a statement, a spokesman for the interior ministry asked the media to refrain from running ‘illogical guesses’ and ‘incorrect analysis’ about Nisar.



“Harsh words were not exchanged nor did the interior minister walk out of the cabinet meeting,” the spokesman said, adding that such stories lacked facts.

He clarified that the interior minister could not participate in the parliamentary committee meeting due to personal engagements, adding that the issue should not be blown out of proportion. “The interior minister will brief the media about the current situation soon,” said the spokesperson.

Earlier, the media reported that Nisar had appreciated the prime minister during the cabinet meeting held on Thursday. It was reported that he had advised the prime minister not to step down.



However, a strong rebuttal was issued without mentioning the context. The rebuttal was interpreted as a rare happening in the backdrop of submission of the JIT findings in the Supreme Court.

A section of the media ran stories that Nisar had walked out of the meeting due to his reservations on some issues. Some media houses also ran stories that Nisar had advised Sharif to resign.

Previously, he had strongly contradicted a news story stating that he held a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif.