AGP Irfan Qadir appointed by Zardari would only resign on his directions

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

Canada: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…
USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…

Pakistan People’s Party stalwarts began to resign from senior positions after the majority elected Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) to form the next government. Sherry Rehman resigned as the Ambassador to the US and so did the Governor of Punjab. On the contrary, the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Irfan Qadir has refused to resign unless the President suggests him to do so.

“I have never thought of resigning from my position but if my appointing authority (President) would ask me to leave then I shall resign,” Qadir told the media.

According to Article 100 (2), Attorney General shall hold office during the pleasure of the President. The sub-clause (4) of the same article states, the Attorney General may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office.

AGP Qadir told the media that he is of the opinion that former President Pervez Musharraf’s act on November 3, 2007 was a mere deviation from the constitution and shall not be termed as treason. He argued that the judiciary has made room for military interventions in the past and emphasized that the constitution was only suspended for a month in 2007, hence, Musharraf should be dealt with merciful hearts.

The AGP also highlighted a number of verdicts which he believes are inconsistent with the constitution. He explained that the July 31, 2009 judgment, the NRO verdict and the disqualification of former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani were among the inconsistent decisions taken after the reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and the other SC judges.