ISLAMABAD: Reiterating his decision to contest the upcoming polls as an independent candidate from four constituencies, former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that there would be no seat adjustment with any party, while at the same time, skirting questions of his alleged differences with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

“I will reveal the reasons of my differences with Nawaz Sharif when the dust is settled,” Mr Nisar said at a press conference on Friday. He, however, confirmed that his differences with Mr Sharif had intensified last year. He added that he would not make public the reasons behind his differences with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo until his wife Kulsoom Nawaz’s condition improved.

He said he had been playing the “devil’s advocate” for Mr Sharif over the last 35 years, and had helped him make better decisions. However, those who had reservations over “my role created a rift between us”, he added. “I have no complaint with the PML-N or the daughter of Nawaz Sharif (Maryam Nawaz)... it is only with Nawaz Sharif because he is the final authority on any decision,” the former interior minister said.

He dismissed reports of various controversies and said his statements against the PML-N leadership were merely political, not personal.

Ex-minister says he would never turn rebel against PML-N

In the press conferences Mr Nisar had addressed over the past few weeks, he has constantly made references and promises to unveil the “secrets” and “real reasons” behind his differences with the PML-N supremo. However, each time, the disgruntled PML-N leader puts off the ‘big reveal’, saying he would hold on to the information till the “appropriate” time.

Journalists gathered at the house of Mr Nisar’s friend for the press conference on Friday seemed certain that this would be the former PML-N stalwart’s big tell-all moment. They were sorely disappointed as Mr Khan even evaded questions of whether he was still a member of the PML-N. “I cannot even think of becoming a rebel to the party, I cannot think of harming the PML-N,” he said.

The former minister elaborated as to why he had not applied for a party ticket or attended the PML-N meeting called to hold interviews of candidates. “I am proud to have been a member of the National Assembly for the eighth time and I have never given any interview for a party ticket. That is the reason I did not appear before the party committee for getting party ticket,” he said.

On the other hand, another senior leader of the party, former information minister Pervaiz Rashid recently said in a statement that the PML-N had already decided not to give a party ticket to Mr Khan, even if he applied for it.

Responding to another question, he said that PTI chairman Imran Khan had in a statement offered to field him in the upcoming elections from the PTI’s platform, and added that the PTI would not field candidates from the constituencies where Mr Nisar was planning to contest the election.

Earlier, the former interior minister had tried to play down his tensions with the PML-N, stating that a lot of what he had said had been misconstrued and misrepresented by the media. “I did not say that it will become difficult for Sharifs to show their faces if I opens my mouth,” he added.

He claimed that he had immediately rejected that statement when it was reported, but journalists had gone on and written articles about it and discussed it on TV programmes.

He declared that he would contest the election from four constituencies, and claimed that he will win. “Recently conducted surveys suggest that I am in a better position in all constituencies as compared to the PTI candidates,” he said.

Asked if he would give the seats he wins over to Mr Sharif’s party, the former minister gave a glib reply: “I will decide it after consulting with you.”

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2018