Govt yet to notify Mansoor Usman Awan as new AGP

Notification being delayed due to Awan’s prior engagements as private counsel, says official

ISLAMABAD:

The federal government has yet to issue a notification regarding the appointment of Mansoor Usman Awan as the new Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) despite the fact that President Dr Arif Alvi had already approved his nomination as the country’s 37th principal law officer.

Awan, a young lawyer from Lahore, came to prominence when he represented the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) during a presidential reference interpreting Article 63A of the Constitution that deals with defection.

His appointment comes after his predecessor, Ashtar Ausaf Ali, resigned in October, citing health reasons. Ali was retained by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to continue serving the office until his successor is found.

A senior government official revealed to The Express Tribune that issuance of the notification is being delayed on account of Awan’s prior engagements in his capacity as private counsel. He is said to be contesting some political cases considered crucial to the federal government.

Similarly, incumbent AGP Ashtar Ausaf Ali has been arguing the Islamabad local government elections case in the Islamabad High Court.

The official said the notification for the new AGP would be issued soon.

Also read: Govt names Mansoor Awan as new AGP

On the other hand, it is also learnt that one section within the superior judiciary is uncomfortable with Awan’s appointment. Therefore, the federal government wants to address the concerns of this section before issuing the notification.

Meanwhile, the incumbent AGP has again left the country for medical check-up abroad.

Awan has an excellent reputation within the legal fraternity. Senior lawyers believe that the time has come for the young and dynamic individuals to be given the opportunity to lead in different fields.

He did a Master of Laws (LLM) in 2005 from Harvard Law School and received Dean’s Award for Leadership. He also served as president of the Harvard Graduate Council in 2004-05.

He did a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the Punjab University Law College Lahore in 2002 and earned the Justice M Jan Memorial gold medal for the first position in jurisprudence, and the Charles Earl Bevan Petman law prize for the first position in criminal law.

He was the counsel of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) in several matters including implementation of Article 95 and presidential reference on interpretation of Article 63(A) of the Constitution. On behalf of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Awan also filed petition against lifetime disqualification of lawmakers under Article 62 (1) (f) of Constitution.