LAHORE: Former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar has announced to take oath as member Punjab Assembly in its session scheduled for tomorrow (Monday).
According to a statement shared on its official Twitter account today (Sunday), Chaudhry Nisar Ali said he has decided to take oath as member Punjab Assembly after consultation with the people of his constituency.
— Ch Nisar Ali Khan (Official) (@ChNisarOfficial) May 23, 2021
The former interior minister asserted that boycotting the by-election and leaving the political turf unoccupied for rivals will be a major political mistake. “Taking oath won’t change my stance or viewpoint regarding the political situation,” he added.
“The move is aimed at controlling the political situation and aspects in the constituency,” the minister said, adding that he will not take any sort of perks from the assembly after taking his oath. He also termed it illogical to participate in the by-poll without becoming a member of the provincial assembly.
A few days earlier, Member of Punjab Assembly (MPA) Chaudhry Adnan confirmed that Chaudhry Nisar planned to take oath of his PP-10 Rawalpindi seat.
Chaudhry Nisar in 2018 elections
The former PML-N stalwart contested the 2018 general elections as an independent candidate from two national and two provincial assemblies after developing differences with the Sharifs.
He only managed to win the provincial assembly seat of PP-10 Rawalpindi, losing the rest to PTI candidates. Nisar had not taken the oath, saying it would be sheer hypocrisy if he took the oath of the provincial assembly’s seat.
The rift between the Sharifs and Nisar widened when the latter in 2018 said he would not beg the PML-N’s parliamentary committee for an election ticket. He also criticised the PML-N for having become a “family party”, which he said made it impossible for him to stay in it.
