January 27, 2003	Monday	Ziqa’ad 23,1423

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 26: Aspirants to the two attractive posts of federal law minister and attorney-general are desperately trying to persuade the prime minister to compensate them for their services to the party.

The post of law minister still needs to be filled in as Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri holds both portfolios.

The two leading aspirants are Khawaja Tariq Rahim and Dr Sher Afgan Khan Niazi.

Khawaja Tariq is laying claim on the post because of his role in the formation of the PPP forward bloc.

Sources say that his first preference was the governorship of Punjab, but the amendment in the Constitution introduced through the Legal Framework Order has come in his way.

In the changed scenario, the source said Khawaja Tariq was offered to become principle advisor to prime minister on law, with the assurance that he would be in charge of the federal law ministry.

Khawaja Tariq, also wanted to have his son, Hasan Tariq in the Senate, but did get the PML-Q ticket.

Now the only choice before him is to take the advisorship in the PM’s cabinet. According to the Constitution the PM is empowered to have five un-elected advisors enjoying ministers’ privileges.

Dr Sher Afgan, a medical doctor, and PPPP MNA from Mianwali is also an aspirant for the law ministry. He held the portfolio for a brief period in the second tenure of the PPP when his ministry was reduced to parliamentary affairs.

Sources say his chances are dim because of his known stance on on the Legal Framework Order.

The party has so far not initiated any legal proceedings against Dr Sher Afgan because the Article dealing with floor-crossing was held in abeyance at the time of his vote.

PML-Q has also given Senate ticket to a prominent constitutional lawyer, S.M. Zafar.

Syed Iftikhar Hussain Gillani, presently member of the PML-Q, is canvassing for attorney-general’s post

Gillani has not been able to convince the party leadership to appoint him in place of Barrister Makhdoom Ali Khan who became attorney-general when Aziz A. Munshi was asked to resign.