“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)
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@Umar Akbar: The license allows him to practice as a lawyer. It has nothing to do with being a minister.
doesn't make any difference, both are incompetent with fake degrees
No cofusion at all
Mr Awan will see to it that PPP is no more in Power.
Aswan has so for kept judiciar away from dismantling the current government he is a genius and a hero
Hey I like this Chandio fellow, Only PPP guy I can stand these days...Join PTI, it will be Hilarious...
This is democracy guys. I mean "pakistani version of democracy" because nowhere in the democratic world would someone convicted of insulting the judiciary would be elected in the parliament. the job of the law minister is to ensure law of the land is implemented n respected. How can he be fit for this ministry or any ministry when hes disrespected the law of the country??? Thank god i was born in the uk!
I don't believe that the media should be blamed for "false reporting" all the time as the source which indicated the replacement of Chandio with Babar Awan was Khursheed Shah. So these incompetent rulers are to blame as well! Remember when Zardari flew out to Dubai the media was blamed for creating over hype but what contributed to this was the contradicting statements emanating from the presidency and the govt!
So much false reporting,.. sorry for the media .
What is the difference between the P P P. DEMOCRACY AND THE ARMY MARSHALL LAW ??????. COULD ANY ONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME. I WOULD SAY ARMY RULE IS MUCH MUCH BETTER THAN THE PPP DEMOCRACY.
How dirty are their hands, they will always be in some good slot. People should now see whom they have elected as their leaders. Wake up PAKISTANEES and do not elect such people in coming elections.
PPP does not need enemy more
"If Babar awan is not showing any respect for judiciary then judiciary itself should show some grace and not indulge in any enterprise which does not fit its stature"
@Umar Akbar: Btw is there any law in our country which necessitates having a law minister?
Federal Government functions in regard to the Supreme Judicial Council, the Supreme Court and the High Courts are performed by the Law & Justice Division of this ministry.
It is surely a recipe for disaster & probably only choice with CJ is to order some other institution to get his orders implemented in letter & spirit.
This is total head on collision of first independent judiciary of Pakistan with Zardari led the most corrupt government in the history of Pakistan. Allah Almighty knows better what would be the result in the near future but InshAllah in the long future, truth and justice would prevail. Pakistan is at the cross roads of history at the moment. Either it would emerge as economically strong and prosperous country in the comity of nations or if power politics or status quo remains persistent on the political landscape of Pakistan then unfortunately it's future is very bleak. As far as Babar Awan is concerned, he would always be remembered in negative sense in the history. PPP and he himself is trying to present himself as political martyrs but now the Pakistan masses have become concious and educated through independent judiciary and vibrant media so all these political martyrs have no future in Pakistan InshAllah.
The current government does not require enemy from outside.
hold your horses....tomorrow he will take back his resignation...like everyone does...
Mr Awan has a 'great' portfolio, especially after this latest addition of revoked license he fits the PPP's criteria for a statesman absolutely perfect ... why not!
PPP is a perfect recipe for a national disaster and the results of four years are there for everyone to see.
Babar Awan's license has been suspended by the Supreme Court and his re-appointment as Law Minister is another example of the PPP's spiteful and deliberate insolent behaviour in the face of the superior judiciary. With the PPP around who needs the USA. Salams
PPP needs no enemy in presence of Mr. Awan.
@Umar Akbar
Err since when a law minister should be a practicing lawyer?
Very Nice P M , Carry we are with you.
Sad to see that Pakistani politics would go after the personalities and not principles.... really sad.... if Awan is not behaving in courts and his license is revoked, how could Govt justify his appointent as a law minister..... this is a shame....
@Umar Akbar: wow ur comment makes a lot of sense. :)
Awan is perfect recipe for disaster