Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Law, Barrister Zafarullah Khan was on Monday handed the additional charge of governing the affairs of the law ministry till the formal appointment of a law minister, DawnNews reported.

Former law minister Zahid Hamid had resigned on November 27 as the government gave in to the demands of protesters camped out at Islamabad's Faizabad Interchange after efforts to remove them failed. The removal of the federal law minister had been the prime demand of the protesters, who had disrupted life in the twin cities for almost three weeks.

The protestors had alleged that the law minister had been responsible for a controversial amendment in the written oath regarding the finality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) submitted by all Muslims contesting elections.

According to a notification issued by Prime Minister House, a copy of which is available with DawnNews, Zafarullah has been directed to chair the meetings of committees and boards in the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Besides disposing of the day to day work of the ministry, he has also been directed to approve answers to the parliament's questions.

The notification, dated November 30, mentions that Zafarullah will perform functions related to the law ministry with effect from November 27, 2017.

Zafarullah, a law graduate of Lincoln’s Inn, had resigned from civil service in 2002. Since then, he has worked as a legal and human rights consultant on women, children and labour issues with various UN organisations, international and national NGOs. He has also assisted the prime minister in various capacities. Currently, he is working as special assistant to the prime minister on law.