Justice Isa says govt is violating the Constitution
Expressing displeasure over the delay in the appointment of the attorney-general of Pakistan (AGP), the Supreme Court on Monday told the federal government to fill the constitutional post immediately.
Lack of assistance from the attorney general in the case related to tampered cars irked Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who then lambasted the government for the delay in filling the post since former attorney general Ashtar Ausaf Ali tendered his resignation in October 2022 due to health reasons.
“We are asking you politely to appoint the attorney general,” Justice Isa told the government during the hearing when the deputy attorney general failed to give a satisfying answer to the question that “who is the attorney general in the country right now?”.
“The government is so incompetent that it cannot even appoint an attorney general,” the Supreme Court justice said, questioning whether the government is bargaining with someone over the AGP’s appointment.
“The Supreme Court has 5,500 lawyers but the government cannot find a single one,” he added.
Justice Isa further added that the government is violating the Constitution by not appointing the AGP, reiterating that the orders given by the apex court were not followed either.
The court said that the additional attorney general and the deputy attorney general are bound to take instructions from the AGP only.
“It is against the law for the deputy and additional attorney general to appear without instructions of the AGP,” the court added.