President accepts 'N' resignations

ISLAMABAD (APP)- President Asif Ali Zardari has accepted the resignations tendered by the federal ministers belonging to PML (N). Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani had advised the President to accept the resignations. The ministers whose resignations have been accepted include Senior Minister and Minister for Food and Agriculture, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, Ishaq Dar, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Education, Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Youth Affairs, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Minister for Science and Technology, Tehmina Daultana, Minister for Railways, Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan Abbasi, Minister for Commerce, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Minister for Defence Production, Rana Tanvir Hussain, PTV reported on Saturday. Following the February 18 elections, the PPP and the PML (N) had formed coalition governments at Centre and Punjab. However, the ministers belonging to PML (N) later tendered their resignation after the two parties developed serious differences over the issue of restoration of judges. Meanwhile another notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Saturday said, "The president has been pleased to accept the resignation tendered by Shahid Khaqan Abbasi from the office of federal minister under clause (3) of Article 92 of the constitution.