Former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar to take oath today

LAHORE: Former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar will take oath as a Punjab parliamentarian today, after remaining aloof from Pakistani politics for a period of three years.

As per sources close to the former PML-N stalwart, the move has its roots in the proposed legislation on electoral reforms by the federal government, envisaging a time frame for the elected members to take oath.

Nisar had said he would not derive any salary or benefits that came from being a Punjab MPA.

This move is not a result of any political development, but a need of the time, sources were quoted as saying by the publication.

The sources said the government is planning to amend the electoral laws and may include a clause that those not taking oath for a specific time period would be de-seated.

After Nisar’s announcement, several conspiracy theories had started doing the rounds in print and social media that ‘someone’ wanted to give Nisar a bigger role and that’s why he was taking the oath after almost 2.5 years, the sources said.

One of those conspiracy theories, as per a report in The News, are that Nisar is being touted by the powers that be, to replace Chief Minister Usman Buzdar. However, it looks far from possible since the ex-interior minister and former close aide of Nawaz Sharif will have to cement his place in the PTI first before vying for the top slot in Punjab.