Law Minister Zahid Hamid’s resignation accepted by PM Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi accepted the resignation of Federal Law Minister Zahid Hamid on Monday, reports confirmed.

After the prime minister’s approval, the Cabinet Division issued a notification of approval for MNA Zahid Hamid’s resignation from the position of law minister.

According to the notification, President Mamnoon Hussain accepted Hamid’s resignation on the advice of the prime minister under Section 3 of the Article 92 of the Constitution.

As per the law, a federal minister or minister of state may resign his office or be removed from office by the president on the advice of the prime minister. Therefore, the appointment of Hamid as the minister for law has been ordered to be immediately de-notified.

Following his resignation, Zahid Hamid on Monday said he had resigned in the interest of the country. He said he had not resigned under duress but decided to resign in the interest of the country.

Hamid had announced to step down voluntarily from the public office on late Sunday night in the greater interest of maintaining peace and law and order situation in the country.

The decision had been taken in the wake of the continuing protests countrywide, following Saturday’s failed crackdown by the police and paramilitary personnel on Islamabad sit-in staged by a religious activists.

“I was not directly responsible for the introduction of the controversial amendment to the Finality of Prophethood declaration for electoral candidates,” claimed Hamid.

“In order to restore peace in the country, I have decided to step down from my position.”

Meanwhile, according to reports, senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party leaders showed reservations at the proposed resignation of Hamid during a high-level consultative meeting held in Islamabad on Sunday.

The senior party members leaders were of the view that law minister’s resignation will belittle the government. However, Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif supported the resignation in a bid to normalise the law and order situation across the country.

Later in a meeting between Hamid and Punjab Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore on Sunday, the two discussed the prevailing situation in the country.

The meeting was believed to be of significant importance since the Punjab CM remained active in bringing the volatile situation under control.

Countrywide protests left at least six people killed and hundreds injured.