ISLAMABAD: Former law minister Babar Awan has decided not to attend the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting on Tuesday (today) at Naudero.

Sources close to Awan told our sources that the former law minister had received an invitation in this regard, but he refused to attend the meeting "due to his busy routine". They also said that he had written a letter to President Asif Zardari in this regard.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Awan is facing "a real hard time" these days, as a group is lobbying to sideline him. The same group has successfully removed him from the Parliamentary Committee on National Security's membership.

Awan's close confidant alleged that the group was also active to remove him from the post of PPP vice president as well. The former law minister is in hot water as the superior courts have taken up several matters against him.

A rift between Awan and the PPP leadership started when the former refused to appear before the SC as a defence witness in the prime minister's contempt of court case. Sources also said the government had decided to cancel the contracts of all lawyers, who were close to Awan.

"The attorney general may also be removed after the disposal of PM's contempt of court case, because he is also associated with Awan group," they added.

In last week, his right-hand man Masood Chishti and brother Farooq Awan were also removed from the Law Ministry.

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