New AG not to represent government in Isa case

ISLAMABAD: The newly- appointed Attorney General ( AG) Khalid Jawed Khan has recused himself from representing the federal government before the ten- judge Supreme Court bench in the case against Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

The apex court is hearing a petition of Justice Isa which he has challenged the presidential reference lodged against him, accusing him of concealing assets.

Meanwhile, Federal Law Minister Dr Farogh Nasim has apologised to the outgoing attorney general, Anwar Mansoor, regretting his remarks against him that he made after Mansoor handed down his resignation after making a startling charge against the tenman bench.

After last week’s furore over Mansoor’s contemptuous statement against the bench, the hearing began with newly-appointed attorney general requesting exemption from representing the government in the case.

Khan, who has previously opined in favour of Justice Isa in the matter, cited conflict of interest as grounds of his request.

When Nasim sought permission to represent the federal government instead, the bench observed that he could not do so without first relinquishing his post as a federal minister.

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Qabli Hassan also objected to Nasim’s request.

Noting that both the attorney general and law minister were not the leading counsel in the case, Justice Ata Umar Bandial, who heads the bench, asked Additional Attorney General Chaudhry Amir Rehman to represent the federal government if it does not hire a private counsel. The judge further remarked that Rehman has attended all hearings so far. The additional attorney general has already sought three- weeks adjournment in the case.

Citing verse 12 of Surah al Hujurat of the

Holy Quran, Justice Bandial remarked that spying was considered one of the greatest sins in Islam. He was referring to the surveillance of Justice Isa and his family — authorisation of which is in contention in the apex court. The bench then adjourned the hearing till March 30.

“O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.”