News
Sunday, April 01, 2012
Kaira replaces Babar Awan in PCNS* PPP may also deprive ex-law minister of party’s vice president office
By Hasnaat Malik
ISLAMABAD: These are the testing times for former law minister Babar Awan as the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has removed him from membership of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) and appointed former information minister Qamar Zaman Kaira in his place.
The PPP leadership is also considering removing Babar from the post of PPP vice president.
Sources close to Awan told Daily Times that the PPP leader had opposed the opening of NATO supply during PCNS’ meetings and the party leadership was, therefore, annoyed with him.
They added Awan wanted to address parliament’s joint session on the issue on Friday but he was not allowed to do so. They said the former law minister had received an invitation to attend the PPP Central Executive Committee’s meeting on April 3. The differences between Awan and the PPP leadership started when the former refused to appear in the Supreme Court as defence witness in a contempt of court against Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
After Awan’s refusal, a new legal team was formed, headed by Aitzaz Ahsan. The sources said the government had also decided to cancel contracts of all legal officers who were closed to Awan.
“Attorney General of Pakistan Maulvi Anwarul Haq may also be removed from his office after the disposal of the contempt case because he is also associated with the Babar Awan group,” the sources said.
Last week, Awan’s right-hand man, Masood Chishti, and his brother Farooq Awan were also removed from the Law Ministry.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk