ISLAMABAD: Zahid Hamid, who had relinquished his post as the federal law minister last year, took oath as federal minister for climate change at a ceremony arranged at the Presidency on Tuesday.

Hamid was administered oath by President Mamnoon Hussain. The ceremony was attended by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, parliamentarians and other high ranking officials.

Hamid had tendered his resignation from the federal cabinet last year after a special court hearing the treason trial against former military ruler Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf named him as one of the abettors of the former president.

In its ruling, the court had directed the government to include Hamid as one of the co-accused alongside former PM Shaukat Aziz and former CJP Abdul Hameed Dogar.

At that time, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had dismissed speculation that Hamid's resignation came in the wake of the inclusion of his name in the charge sheet.

But days later, Hamid's resignation was accepted by premier Nawaz Sharif.

PML-N's Mushahidullah, who was the former minister for climate change, had been asked by the premier to give up his portfolio earlier this year after the former made 'inappropriate' remarks relating to the army and former ISI chief Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam.

Zahid Hamid's political career

Hamid was born on October 24, 1947 in Lahore. He completed his BA Honours and MA from Cambridge University UK and LLB degree from Punjab University.

He is a lawyer by profession and has been a civil servant and an industrialist with legislative interests in environment, finance and law.

Following Musharraf's military takeover in 1999, Hamid defected to the breakaway faction of the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) called the Pakistan Muslim League - Quaid (PML-Q) and was elected MNA from NA-114, Sialkot-V in the 2002 election.

Hamid had held the portfolio of law minister in the Musharraf government and was said to be a close aide of the former army strongman. Before the 2008 elections, he joined the PML-N.