Reception: ‘Lawyers should defuse govt-court tensions’

AAG defends Awan’s distribution of funds among bar associations.

MULTAN:


Additional Attorney General Habibullah Shakir said on Tuesday lawyers should play the role of a stabiliser in the relationship between the government and the courts.


He was speaking at a reception arranged by lawyers in Multan. He said bar associations had a right to such funds.

The additional attorney general said he would ensure that a balance was struck between the courts and the government. He said his performance in the office would prove his detractors wrong the way his performance as a High Court judge had refuted the remarks of a Supreme Court judge on his appointment.

He said the distribution of funds among bar associations by former law minister Babar Awan was in accordance with the constitution.


“The government needs to give funds to bar associations to promote the welfare of lawyers,” he said.

The additional attorney general said if the provincial government could allot land for establishment of housing colonies, why was there an issue with the federal government giving funds for the welfare of lawyers.

He said the government was committed to the welfare of lawyers. He referred to the increase in number of law officers during the tenure of the current government as a proof of its commitment.

Shakir’s appointment to the office of additional attorney general had followed his defeat in the elections Multan Chapter of the Lahore High Court Bar Association. Mehmood Ashraf, backed by lawyers affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Jamaate Islami, had won the election.

The reception was also addressed by Allah Ditta Kashif and Daud Wains.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18th, 2012.
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