following the election of shahid khaqan abbasi as prime minister of pakistan in august 2017, tarar was offered the cabinet portfolio of ministry of science and technology, however he declined it. later, he was inducted into the cabinet of abbasi as minister for human rights with the status of a federal minister. upon the dissolution of the national assembly on the expiration of its term on 31 may 2018, tarar ceased to hold the office as federal minister for human rights.