ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbas has accepted the resignation tendered by the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Zahid Hamid, which had earlier paved the way for ending the Countrywide protests by Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYR).
Zahid Hamid had tendered his resignation as the federal minister voluntarily on Sunday and presented that to the prime minister. The minister said that he had resigned to steer the Country out of the prevailing critical situation.
Now according to the information, the prime minister has accepted Zahid Hamid’s resignation.
The resignation of Zahid Hamid was the main demand of two religious parties – TLYR and Sunni Tehreek Pakistan – which had held the Federal Capital hostage for 21 days, demanding the federal government to sack the law minister over his alleged involvement to bringing amendments in the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat Clauses in Election Act.
However last night, the government reached an understanding with protesters, and as part of six-point agreements, Zahid Hamid tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
Zahid Hamid was of the view that he didn’t want violence in the Country and he would feel proud if his resignation would help to neutralize the situation in the Country although, he added, he was not guilty for any wrongdoing while performing his official duties.
Sources say that Zahid Hamid may now be posted as an ambassador in any North American or European Country.
It is pertinent to mention that TLYR led by Maulana Khadim Hussain Rizvi was insisting that it would not withdraw from their demands; among them prominent were the resignation of the Law Minister Zahid Hamid, disclosure of inquiry report into amendment to the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat (PBUH) declaration in Election Act 2017, and strict action against those responsible for the amendment, and continued their sit-in at Faizabad despite Court’s orders and government’s appeals.
On November 25, police launched a crackdown on protesters belonging to Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah at Faizabad but the operation backed fire and violence spread all over the Country.
The federal government called in army on November 25 evening after protests gripped the Country for help in quelling protests in Islamabad under Constitutional provision for handling the situation.
However, army troops were not deployed to deal with protesters, and the prime minister and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa held a detailed meeting on Sunday (November 26) and it was decided that army must not be placed in front of raged protesters and Punjab Rangers should be empowered to deal with the situation.
During the meeting, the COAS suggested the prime minister to resolve the issue with religious parties through dialogue instead of use of power. After the meeting, the Minister for Law Zahid Hamid tendered his resignation to the prime minister while an agreement between both the conflicting parties was reached, resulting in the end of 21-day long sit-in at Faizabad and all other protests across the Country.
