“In terms of rule 3(4) of the Rules of Business, 1973, the prime minister has been pleased to allocate the portfolio of law and Justice to Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister, with immediate effect. Consequently, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Political Affairs, shall cease to hold the portfolio of law and Justice,” said a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Wednesday.

Tarar stepped down as the law minister last month, citing “personal reasons” after which the federal government appointed Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in his place and handed him an additional portfolio apart from economic affairs.

At that time, some television channels had reported that he made the decision citing ‘anti-establishment slogans’ raised at the Asma Jahangir Conference in Lahore. Tarar was the chief guest at the conference, which was held last month. During his speech at the event, some participants chanted slogans against the establishment.

“I am disappointed the way a small group of participants behaved at AJCON22 today by unnecessarily chanting slogans against state institutions n not listing to the achievements so far made for their benefits. We must respect each other’s point of view#hallmark of democratic socity,” he said in a tweet on October 23.

The law minister was also reported to be under pressure for casting his vote in favour of some “junior judges”, along with Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, who were being elevated to the Supreme Court.

However, after over a month, the PM asked federal ministers to ask Tarar to continue serving as the law minister and that he would not accept his resignation.

The federal ministers, including Ishaq Dar, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Rana Sanaullah, Khawaja Saad Rafique and Marriyum Aurangzeb, met with the senator at his residence and conveyed the prime minister’s message.

After discussion with the federal ministers, Tarar spoke to his bar colleagues. Following his conversation with them, the PML-N leader decided to return to the cabinet.