PTI may allow incumbent AGP to continue

Ruling party may have limited options for slot of law minister

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI), which is likely to form the next government in the Centre, has started deliberations on the appointment of the key post of the attorney general for Pakistan (AGP) but may retain the incumbent AGP, Khalid Javed Khan, due to his good reputation.

The upcoming government will have to deal with the fallout of major legal battles in world legal forums, especially in the Karkey rental power plant and Reko Diq cases. Both these cases will be concluded sometime in the next year.



Currently, Pakistan is facing 32 cases of different nature at international courts. Even some independent power producers (IPPs) have also filed cases with international arbitrators seeking clearance of their pending dues, which amount to more than a trillion rupees.

The judicial activism of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar is also a big challenge for the newly-elected government. In view of the prevailing situation, the AGP’s job will be a very tough one.

Sources revealed to The Express Tribune that the party is seriously thinking of retaining the incumbent AGP Khan, who is respected both among the legal fraternity and judiciary due to his professionalism.

Barrister Khan’s professional career spans more than two decades. He enrolled as advocate high court in 1991 and became an advocate of the Supreme Court in 2004.

A Karachi-based lawyer, Khan served as legal adviser to the AGP and, in this capacity, advised former premier Benazir Bhutto during her second tenure (1993-1996) as prime minister.

He obtained his LLB degree from London University, his bachelor of civil law (BCL) degree from Oxford University, his LLM from Harvard University and bar-at-law from Lincoln’s Inn. Sources said a meeting between incumbent AGP Khalid Javed Khan and PTI chief Imran Khan may be held next week.

“The PTI needs an AGP, who could gain the trust of both of both judiciary and executive.  Therefore, I believe Khalid Javed Khan is the best option for this post,” said a member of the caretaker cabinet, who also advised the PTI to retain Khan as top law officer of the country.

It was also learnt that the incumbent AGP planned on resigning on Thursday, but caretaker Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk urged him to continue for the time being.

PTI’s legal minds

Senior lawyer Hamid Khan was leading the PTI’s legal wing at the beginning of the Panamagate case. However, he was later sidelined from the party’s legal affairs during the proceedings.

Later, Naeem Bukhari and Sikandar Bashir Mohmand and Dr Babar Awan started contesting the PTI’s cases. Presently, Awan is appearing on behalf of the PTI chief Imran Khan in several cases and is regarded as being close to Imran.

Bukhari was also successful in the Panama Papers case, which resulted in former premier Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification and ultimate incarceration. He was also Imran Khan’s attorney in Hanif Abbasi case, in which Khan was declared ‘Sadiq and Ameen’.

Mohmand, who assisted renowned lawyer Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, is also in good books of Khan due to his ability to work.  He is also a counsel of the PTI senior leader Jahangir Tareen in several matters.  Another senior lawyer Anwar Mansoor Khan is also closed to PTI legal wing as he appeared in party funding case.

The PTI also has very limited options for a law minister. Presently, Fawad Chaudhry is the only notable MNA who is also a practising Supreme Court lawyer.  His name may also be considered for the same post.

Caretaker Law Minister Ali Zafar is also a dynamic personality capable to bring legal reforms.  If the party does not find a suitable person, then Zafar may be asked to continue as the adviser to the PM on legal affairs.

The PTI is also considering offering the post of law minister to Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) leader Dr Farogh Nasim. MQM is also eyeing the portfolio of minister for port and shipping.