Will 'hurt' party if reason for not joining federal cabinet is disclosed: Former Pak interior minister

Former Pakistan interior minister Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday said it would "hurt" the ruling party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), if he discloses the reason for not being a part of the federal cabinet.

"Fellow party members leaking details of matters discussed in internal meetings has created an unnecessary controversy over my decision," while also clarifying that he had not announced quitting politics, but only declined a place in the federal cabinet over a "difference of opinion," The Express Tribune quoted him, as saying in a press briefing.

He further claimed that he openly discussed his opinion during the party's meetings, and added that the former and incumbent prime ministers kept trying to convince him to "not quit" as the interior minister.

Talking about how terrorism was eliminated when he was the minister, Khan said, "In 2013, there were bomb attacks after every four or five day. Now there is a marked reduction in such incidents. There is no terrorist network in Pakistan now, and the security situation has remarkably improved."

He further said, "I do not want my political performance to be tarnished by involving in mudslinging."

Earlier on July 27, Nisar Ali Khan had announced that he would quit politics, resign from the National Assembly seat and step aside as the interior minister, moments after the apex court announced its verdict in the Panama Papers case.

However, later, the Ministry of Interior issued a clarification on behalf of Khan that he had changed his mind after consultations with some friends.