Islamabad, Mar. 14 : Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Minister, Sherry Rehman's resignation has surprised President Asif Ali Zardari.

On receiving the resignation, worried Zardari told Rehman that she had left him in difficult times.

In reply, Sherry Rehman said that she has resigned on principle that of late Benazir Bhutto.

Several sources, confirmed that Rehman had sent her resignation to the Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani who also expressed surprise over the decision.

Rehman said that decision regarding the blacking out of the channel (Geo News) was taken without consulting her, and that she would not withdraw her resignation until the ban was lifted.

"When the channel was banned earlier, then I had accompanied Benazir to the news channel's office and, while condemning the incident, it was promised it would not be repeated in future. Now, with which face I would go to the newsmen," The News quoted Rehman, as saying. (ANI)