AGP Javed excuses himself from working on his post under PTI govt

Sources cite PTI Karachi chapter wants Anwar Mansoor as AGP

ISLAMABAD: Khalid Javed Khan has excused himself from working as the Attorney General for Pakistan under the new Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

On August 9, Javed met newly-elected Prime Minister Imran Khan for the first time at Bani Gala, where he was asked to continue working as the AGP.

Javed agreed to continue working as the AGP with new government during the meeting. However, one section within PTI was very much active in replacing him with another Karachi-based lawyer Anwar Mansoor Khan, who was at the same position (AGP) during the PPP government led by Yousuf Raza Gilani, sources told The Express Tribune.

It is also learnt that the same group - which is mostly dominant in the PTI Karachi chapter - was able to convince Imran to appoint Mansoor as the new AGP.



However, another section within PTI strongly opposed replacing the AGP, saying Javed has a good reputation in both the bench and the bar; therefore, his replacement would be unwise.

Acting on the recommendation of latter group, PM Imran halted the notification regarding the appointment of Mansoor, sources further revealed.

Subsequently, sources informed that when Javed became aware of nomination of Mansoor, he decided not to continue as the AGP any further. Likewise, he left Karachi after attending the oath-taking ceremony of the prime minister.

Sources revealed that the incumbent AGP was contacted to continue his work on the post but he was not willing to do so.

It is also learnt that Javed remained very vocal against unconstitutional acts of former president Pervez Musharraf and was uncomfortable with the nomination of ministers, who remained closed to former military rulers.

Likewise, as top law officer of the country, it would also be difficult for him to continue with nominated Minister for Law Farogh Nasim, who is top attorney of Musharraf in the treason case.

It is also learnt that PTI senior member Hamid Khan, who was sidelined by the party when the Panamagate hearing commenced, has been active to adjust his lawyers’ group members on key posts. Both Nasim and Mansoor are active members of Hamid Khan’s lawyers group, which is known as Professional Group. Nasim was elected as the Pakistan Bar Council vice chairman by the same group two years ago.

On the other hand, Asma Group members like Ahsan Bhoon and others, who gave a tough time to the PML-N in the recent past and supported PTI’s stance, may show reservations over both the appointments.



However, there is no doubt that Nasim is a very professional lawyer and his induction as the law minister would help bring judicial reforms in the country.

One of the biggest challenge the newly-elected PTI government would face is that whether it would peruse the treason case against Musharraf. The Special Court, led by Justice Yawar Ali, is resuming the treason case hearing on August 20. Most of the cabinet members were also part of Musharraf’s regime.

Meanwhile, it is also learnt that the interior ministry has refused to accept Akram Sheikh’s resignation as head of the prosecution team in the high treason case against Musharraf. The ministry has written a letter to Sheikh wherein it is stated that his resignation was yet to be accepted and a decision in this regard would take time in view of the change of government. The ministry also requested Sheikh to attend the special court’s proceedings on August 20 along with his team. It is also stated that in case of his non-availability, he may nominate a law officer to attend the hearing.