Chaudhry Virk appointed law minister

Published January 10, 2018
Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk.─Photo courtesy: National Assembly website
Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk.─Photo courtesy: National Assembly website

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Chaudhry Mehmood Bashir Virk was appointed federal law minister by the government on Tuesday.

President Mamnoon Hussain administered the oath of office of federal minister to the senior PML-N leader at a special ceremony in the Presidency.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, federal ministers, parliamentarians and senior government officials were also present at the oath-taking ceremony.

The president congratulated Chaudhry Virk on assu­ming the office of federal minister and expressed the hope that he would discharge his responsibilities in an efficient manner.

Hailing from Gujranwala, Mr Virk is said to be a seasoned politician of the ruling party.

The slot of law minister fell vacant after Zahid Hamid resigned last November due to tremendous pressure from the opposition and religious organisations calling for his resignation for allegedly making an amendment to a clause of the election affidavit concerning Khatm-i-Nubuwat or the finality of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Mr Hamid resigned during countrywide protests and Faizabad sit-in by religious parties.

He said he had resigned for the sake of bringing the ongoing crisis to an end that had flared up after a crackdown on protesters at the Faizabad interchange.

However, he denied any direct involvement in the controversial amendment — which was later restored to its original form.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

PAKISTAN has now registered 50 polio cases this year. We all saw it coming and yet there was nothing we could do to...
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...