ISLAMABAD: In a smart political move, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday rejected the resignation submitted by former law minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and instructed him to resume his duties from today (November 30).
Tarar had tendered resignation after addressing an event held to pay tributes to former human rights activist and lawyer Asma Jahangir in Lahore where army’s leadership was targeted by PTM activists.
Media reports had suggested that the then COAS Gen Bajwa had taken serious note of the presence of law minister and foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who did not object to the anti-army sloganeering. Later, Bilawal had to offer a formal apology while Tarar refused to apologise and hence was asked to tender resignation.
Tarar was also said to be under immense pressure for casting his vote in favour of some “junior judges”, along with Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, who were being elevated to the Supreme Court. Once Tarar submitted resignation, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq was asked to take over the charge of law ministry as stop-gap arrangement.
However, as soon as new army chief took over the charge from Gen Bajwa on Tuesday, a delegation of federal ministers led by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and comprising Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Economic Affairs Minister Ayaz Sadiq and Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique visited Tarar’s residence in Islamabad and conveyed a message from PM Shehbaz Sharif to resume his activities as law minister again.
The PML-N leaders conveyed the premier’s message to Tarar, who agreed to take over the responsibilities as a federal minister once again.
