Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Monday remained mysteriously missing from the most important meeting of the federal cabinet summoned to approve the federal budget for 2016-17.

The notice for special cabinet meeting was sent by the Cabinet Division to all the federal ministers, ministers of state, advisors and special assistants well in advance. Interior Minister Ch Nisar was also invited, but he didn’t turn up.

One of the senior ministers commented that the prime minister was performing his duties from London even when he was not in good health but the absence of one of our senior colleagues from the cabinet meeting had left a bad taste in the mouth. “What kind of message he wants to give,” he wondered.

Sources said at the time of cabinet meeting, the interior minister was chairing a meeting at the NADRA headquarters. They were of the view that even Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif felt his absence. Sources said Ch Nisar was not happy with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar looking after the affairs of the PM House as he thought himself to be the most senior minister and entitled to be declared the in-charge by the prime minister in his absence. However, he silently distanced himself after Nawaz Sharif verbally asked Dar to look after the day-to-day affairs of the government.

An interior ministry spokesman, however, said that Ch Nisar was not feeling well and hence could not attend the meeting.