Confusion abound over Chandio’s resignation

Speaking to reporters, Chandio says he hasn’t quit the law ministry but tells Senator Bukhari that he has.


Zahid Gishkori January 17, 2012

ISLAMABAD: Federal Law Minister Maula Bux Chandio has refuted reports that he has resigned from his post.

“I have not resigned and neither have I been asked to,” Chandio told reporters in Islamabad, before the start of the Senate session on Tuesday. “The prime minister will appear before the Supreme Court on January 19 and I will be alongside him.”

Earlier, it was reported that Chandio had resigned soon after reports surfaced that his predecessor Babar Awan could be reappointed as law minister.

Senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader Khurshid Shah, speaking to reporters at an event in Islamabad on Tuesday, hinted that Awan might be returning to the post that he had relinquished to represent the federation in the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto reference case in the Supreme Court.

However, in the Senate session, Leader of the House Nayyar Bukhari said that Chandio had in fact tendered his resignation and was thus no longer law minister.

Bukhari said this when a bill, titled 20th Constitutional Amendment Bill tabled by Chandio, was tabled before the Senate. Discussion on the bill was then deferred as the country appears to have no law minister. Bukhari said that Chandio had himself informed that he had resigned.

Awan’s return sign of government’s defiance

If Awan is reappointed, analysts say, it could be another move of defiance on part of the government that is already embroiled in a tussle with the judiciary over the National Reconciliation Ordinance case.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Supreme Court had suspended Awan’s license temporarily for contempt of court and asked the federation to find a new lawyer. Soon afterwards, reports started circulating that Awan may be brought back as law minister.

Awan is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari later today.

COMMENTS (28)

Shahzad Kazi | 12 years ago | Reply

@Umar Akbar: The license allows him to practice as a lawyer. It has nothing to do with being a minister.

Saboor | 12 years ago | Reply

doesn't make any difference, both are incompetent with fake degrees

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