Chaudhry Nisar lambasts PTI govt for 'begging India for talks'

RAWALPINDI: Veteran politician and former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Chaudhry Nisar on Saturday criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for what he termed the “policy of begging India for talks”.

Addressing media in Rawalpindi, Nisar Ali Khan said lauded the government for taking a bold step and opening the Kartarpur border for Sikh pilgrims but added that the government’s policy of “begging Indian government for talks” is reprehensible.

“This is against Imran Khan’s claims of standing his ground against India, talks with Pakistan are not on the agenda of Modi government in India so begging them for talks doesn’t serve our country’s interest in any way,” said Nisar.

About future prospects of his former party PML-N, Nisar said that he advised PML-N leadership that they should stop issuing statements against judiciary and other state institutions.

“If they had listened to my advice, PML-N would still be ruling the country,” said the former interior minister.

He, however, refused to comment on the future prospects for PML-N by saying that he is no longer a part of PML-N.

It is pertinent to note here that Nisar, who also served as interior minister during the previous PML-N government, contested the July 25 general elections as an independent candidate.

Nisar chose Jeep symbol and contested polls on four seats, two NA and two provincial assembly seats.

The veteran politician, however, could only emerge victorious on one Punjab Assembly seat from Rawalpindi, PP-10. Nisar bagged 53,145 votes against independent candidate Naseerul Husnain Shah, who stood second with 22,263 votes.