Nisar won't desert PM Nawaz under present circumstances: analysts

KARACHI: Following the much-awaited press conference by the interior minister, analysts have said that Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan will not desert Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his government under the present circumstances.

Speaking to Geo News, senior journalist Hamid Mir revealed that Minister of Railways Saad Rafique and Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif had pressed the interior minister to not hold the press conference, which Nisar denied; however, he assured that he would not say anything which could harm the party.

"It was then decided that the interior minister will hold the press conference, but will not take questions from newsmen," Mir said.

"Nisar will not desert the prime minister and the government under these circumstances. However, in case of a verdict by the Supreme Court against Nawaz, Nisar will not become part of the new cabinet."

The senior journalist also said that Nisar will continue to stand by his party and Nawaz and will uncover certain political secrets in the days to come. 

"Again, uncovering these secrets will not have any implications for the prime minister and the government," Mir added.

Mir further said that the prime minister carefully watched Thursday's presser by the interior minister and has decided to reconcile with his key cabinet member. 

"The premier has decided that none of the ministers will react to Nisar's press conference."

Director News of Geo News Rana Jawad said no one was creating misunderstandings between the prime minister and Nisar. There is just a difference in thinking between the two, he said.

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"Nisar was of the view that PM should accept the verdict of the Supreme Court, but the prime minister says he would act upon the decision, but will not accept it," Jawad said, adding that this was the basic difference between Nisar and Nawaz.

Elaborating on Nisar's statement that he plays role of a devil's advocate, Imtiaz Alam said it is a fact that on several issues he has taken a different position, however, the interior minister has been sincere and loyal to the prime minister.

Anchorperson and senior journalist Saleem Safi said the merits and flaws of Nisar's attitude have always been there, so has been his difference of opinion.

"The interior minister has differences with Irfan Siddiqui, while only Maryam Bibi has the powers to keep someone out of the key consultation meetings," Safi revealed.

"There have also been some individuals who were previously not against Chaudhry Nisar, but they acted against him after differences surfaced between them over some issues," he said, naming Minister of Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal to be one such individual.

Safi further said that Nisar also grieved over the pictures issued to media in which he was not shown with the prime minister at the time of his appearance before Panama case Joint Investigation Team (JIT), despite having the premier present in the vehicle the interior minister was driving. 

He added the key minister in Nawaz Sharif's cabinet can also not adjust elsewhere, given the way the prime minister nurtures him.

"Mian sahib has realised that excluding Nisar from his camp would only worsen the situation, and not improve it at all," he said. 

"Nisar has also conveyed a positive message to the prime minister today and things are going to settle down in a day or two."