Days after Mansoor Usman Awan withdrew from consideration for the position of attorney general for Pakistan (AGP), the federal government began the search for a replacement.
After former AGP Ashtar Ausaf Ali submitted his retirement in October of last year owing to health reasons, the judiciary voiced its disappointment with the administration for failing to fill this crucial constitutional position.
Following Ausaf’s resignation on December 23, President Dr. Arif Alvi confirmed the appointment of Awan, a Supreme Court attorney, as the AGP. However, the appointment was not announced by the federal government.
Invoking medical concerns, Ausaf had asked Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to remove him. The prime minister did, however, ask him to stay on until the appointment of his successor. He, however, did not turn up at the court to represent the federal government.
Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazir Tarar stated, “I am going to meet PM Shehbaz today (Saturday), and probably the matter of naming the new attorney general would be finalised within two or three days.”
He disclosed that Awan first agreed to serve as attorney general but then declined the position verbally and in writing, citing his professional obligations.
I am unable to share the names of the new nominees for attorney general, but I am hopeful that the prime minister will announce the name in the next two to three days.
Tarar said he will especially meet the prime minister today and will discuss the issue with him. He further added that the government was quite cautious about the concerns being highlighted by the judiciary over the delay in filling the post of AGP.
