Nisar to break silence over rumours of 'resignation'

ISLAMABAD: With the rumours doing rounds that Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has decided to part ways with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after 35 years of association in the aftermath of the Panama JIT findings about the Sharif family, he will hold press conference today to clear the air.

Since the release of the report of the Panama joint investigation team, formed to probe money laundering allegations against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his children, there are widespread rumours that Nisar and the PM are at loggerheads over the latter’s stubbornness to stick to his office and fight corruption charges against him tooth and nail.

According to media reports, Nisar, generally known for speaking his mind, advised the premier during a cabinet meeting to step down keeping in view the ground realities and serious problems he was facing.

Reports quoted the minister as saying, “Mr Prime Minister, now only a miracle can save you.”

Afterwards, the rumours about Chaudhry Nisar’s decision to quit as the federal minister continued to do rounds, but the interior minister denied the reports as incorrect.

The PML-N senior leaders were reported to have repeatedly approached the minister to convince him to change his plan but he decided to stay away from the present crisis facing the party and tender his resignation from the ministry in today’s presser.

On July 10, the JIT probing offshore assets of the ruling family submitted its final report in court which said that “he is in possession of assets disproportionate to known sources of income”. The panel also disclosed that the prime minister was the chairman of a board in another offshore company, FZE Capital UAE.

After the development, a number of legal experts believe that it will not be easy for the prime minister to escape disqualification under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution.