Aitzaz Ahsan, leading lawyer and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) stalwart, has advised President Asif Ali Zardari that he should let the corrupt ones be arrested after the expiry of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) and avoid projection of an image that he was protecting them any further.
Sources close to Aitzaz Ahsan have confirmed to Business Recorder that Atizaz was offered both Attorney Generalship and Punjab's Governorship during the meeting, which he refused politely. Sources added that the President asked Atizaz to become active in building up a positive image of the party. Atizaz said in response that it was not possible without co-operation from the Presidency.
When asked about any follow-up meeting ahead, sources responded positively and said further meetings are being planned for the future. However, they refused to comment whether Atizaz was going to hold any public office shortly or not.
It may be noted that a surprised visit of Atizaz Ahsan to the Presidency last week stirred the political environment suddenly. Especially, the political, legal and social circles also took Atizaz's stance on the NRO after the meeting surprisingly. Aitzaz was of the view that President was enjoying protection under the Article 248 of the Constitution. Further, Atizaz has also stressed in his follow-up interactions with media that the NRO was already dead as a law. However, he warned the beneficiaries of the NRO to get legal protection before November 28.
It is also worth noting that rumours had started circulating with fast speed right after Atizaz's meeting with President Zardari that he was going to hold the office of either Attorney General or the Governor Punjab. However, a meeting of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani with Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer quoted these rumours as baseless. The Prime Minister further dispelled the impression that Governor Punjab was being replaced with someone else soon. He had also made clear that the President made no offer for any public office to Atizaz Ahsan in his meeting with the former one.