Govt still unable to pick new AGP as SC hears high-profile cases

Nearly a month after Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Ashtar Ausaf tendered his resignation citing health issues, the federal government is struggling to pick the country’s new top law officer as important cases land on the Supreme Court’s desk.

Currently, the apex court is hearing important cases including a presidential reference on the Reko Diq project as well as the federal government contempt petition against PTI chief Imran Khan over the violation of the May 25 order.

Both cases are being argued by Additional Attorney General (AAG) Chaudhry Aamir Rehman before the top court’s larger bench as the AGP is not present in Islamabad.

Similarly, Ayaz Sadiq, who is already serving as economic affairs minister and lacks professional law background, has been given the additional portfolio of law and justice after Azam Nazeer Tarar resigned last month citing personal reasons.

Meanwhile, as a result of this delay and alleged lack of interest on the part of the government, the law officers are facing hurdles in getting the government's instruction in any sensitive matter in the prevailing situation.

Last month, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar resigned from his position as law minister due to "personal reasons".The legal fraternity believes Mr Tarrar — who is a senior lawyer himself — tendered his resignation to make up for the dismay caused after Asma Jahangir Conference where anti-military slogans were chanted.

Tarar was accused of being one of the main organisers of the conference.

However, sources said that Tarar continues to be Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s legal wizard and the government is still taking his advice to handle the affairs on the legal front amid headwinds.

Moreover, the decision to give additional charge of the law ministry to Sardar Ayaz Sadiq was also taken after his recommendation.

Meanwhile, sources also revealed to The Express Tribune that the government had also offered Salman Aslam Butt to assume the charge of a new attorney general of Pakistan but he is reluctant to accept the position.

“Mr Butt wants to accept the position on the condition that he would be allowed to bring his own legal team to AGP office, which is not possible for the government,” sources shared.

The government appointed law officers on the recommendation of coalition parties as well as some federal ministers therefore, their removal may annoy them.

Similarly, it was earlier said that the name of Mansoor Usman Awan was being mooted for the position of AGP. However, he had also shown a lack of interest in taking charge of the office.

Likewise, Mustafa Ramday, who has a close association with the prime minister, is also being considered for the post.A government official said that the health of the incumbent AGP was improving as one section within the government wants Ashtar Ausaf Ali to stay in office.

However, it is being witnessed that the government is entirely investing its energies and attention in the army chief’s appointment.

Meanwhile, it was also learnt on Sunday that Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial is likely to respond to the PM letter regarding the constitution of the full court bench to inquire about the attack on former premier Imran Khan.

The majority of the judges do not want that a full court commission should probe the assassination attack on Imran Khan.