The country’s top law officer, Barrister Shehzad Ata Elahi, on Friday resigned from his position as Attorney General Pakistan (AGP), less than two months after his appointment.
Barrister Shehzad Ata Elahi was appointed AGP in February after Ashtar Ausaf Ali resigned as AGP citing health issues. In his place, Mansoor Usman Awan was appointed as the 37th AGP after the approval of President Alvi, but he later resigned.
As a result, the AGP office had been vacant since last October. Additional Attorney General Chaudhry Aamir Rehman had been appearing to represent the government before the Supreme Court.
Read more: AGP Ashtar Ali Ausaf resigns from post
The absence of any officer to represent the AGP office had even caught the attention not only of the Supreme Court but also of the Islamabad High Court, which has even sought a proper explanation from the law ministry in this regard.
However, in February, Barrister Shehzad Ata Elahi, a young lawyer from Lahore and the grandson of former president Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry was appointed as the AGP.
Breaking:
Attorney General for Pakistan Barrister Shehzad Ata Elahi has resigned.— Hasnaat Malik (@HasnaatMalik) March 24, 2023
In his resignation letter to President Dr Arif Alvi, Barrister Shehzad Ata Elahi cited personal reasons however, speculations are rife that he resigned due to the immense pressure he was put under. Pertinent to mention that his resignation comes shortly after the Election Commission of Pakistan announced to postpone the Punjab by-elections, despite the Constitution asserting that elections be held within 90 days of the assemblies being dissolved.
Attorney General of Pakistan Shehzad Ata Elahi has tendered his resignation , reportedly, due to immense pressure on him by the #ImportedGovt. He is also supposed to face Supreme Court on the issue of violations of Constitution by ECP and PM and Federal Secretaries. #ECP
— Iftikhar Chaudri (@IftikharChaudri) March 24, 2023
Best of luck to the govt for finding an Attorney General who will distort the Constitution for petty political gains after outgoing AG Shehzad Ata Elahi refused to do so. #Pakistan
— Hamza Azhar Salam (@HamzaAzhrSalam) March 24, 2023
CJ Supreme Court backed
Attorney General Barrister Shehzad Ata Elahi has resigned. Signals are clear . Breakup between Government and Judiciary— Muzamal Suharwardy (@M_Suharwardy) March 24, 2023
The decision to postpone the Punjab by-elections was met with extreme upset, especially by PTI who immediately claimed that the ECP decision was in direct violation of the Constitution of Pakistan.
Read more: AGP shoots down ‘honest premier’ remarks attributed to CJP on social media