Nisar’s presser sets rumour mill churning

Minister puts off political talk citing deadly Lahore bombing

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan did address his much-awaited news conference on Monday, but he didn’t discuss ‘political matters’ – much to the dismay of the country’s ubiquitous media.

The 10-minute presser raised more questions than it answered, triggering further rumour-mongering about Nisar’s take on the government’s handling of the post-JIT report situation.

Nisar said though the press conference was important for him, it was not possible for him to discuss the political situation in the backdrop of casualties caused by an explosion in Lahore.

Visibly suffering from severe backache, Nisar said he wasn’t feeling well on Sunday which was why he had to postpone his press conference.

Though, a chair was arranged with a lower-back cushion for him in the hall, Nisar preferred to speak to the media while standing behind a rostrum. “I may stand for a while [due to the backache] and standing [in this condition] is comparatively comfortable,” he said.



The minister, who is reportedly  not happy with how the government has handled the post-JIT report situation, said the past few days had been painful for him not only physically but also because of other matters.

“I thought I’d relieve myself of my misery when I got here [Punjab House] at 1pm but half an hour ago I received news of the Lahore blast. This press conference was very important for me but after this incident it is not possible to talk on political issues and you will also agree with me,” he said.

Nisar said it was not suitable for the interior minister to talk on political affairs in the backdrop of a blast.

“I am not cancelling my press conference but postponing it for the time being,” he said, adding that there were issues he wanted to speak about and that he might discuss them in a couple of days.

“I have been watching a lot of things on TV [channels]. I will request you to avoid guessing game. Things will be clear when I speak to you on these issues,” he advised the media.

Responding to a question regarding the recent manhandling of a female journalist at PIMS, the minister said a committee has been formed to inquire into the issue and present a report within 24 hours.

Of late, reports were making rounds that Nisar might part ways with the ruling PML-N owing to the emerging rift between him and the party leadership. He skipped key meetings of the ruling party at a time when the PML-N is chalking out a strategy to deal with any adverse verdict in the Panamagate case.