Attorney General of Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan on Saturday said that abolishment of concurrent list under the 18th Amendment not a well-articulated move and that is creating difficulties for the new federal government to carry out reforms in different sectors.
"Though, I believe 18th Amendment was positive development to restore 1973 constitution in its original form; however, I didn't see the abolishment of concurrent list a welcome development at all," he said, speaking at a meeting of Rotary Club of Karachi Centennial.
He said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led federal government faced problem when they thought about carrying out reforms in certain departments such as police and few others but couldn't do it because these have been devolved to provinces.
Attorney General who spoke at length about the judicial system and the lacunas in dispensing the justice also recalled the phases, the judiciary passed through over the decades in country. About the improvement in judicial system of the country for speedy justice, Anwar Mansoor disclosed that Supreme Court (SC) has started imposing fine on lawyers for seeking adjournment of the hearings on flimsy grounds. "We are also in contact with the high courts to start this practice for speedy justice," he said.
Attorney General said he was working on certain issues and was in contact with superior judiciary to rectify the judicial system. Among these issues, "speedy justice" is imperative to reduce the period for imparting justice. "It is duty of state to provide speedy and expeditious justice to people," he maintained.
Responding to a query about Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and its effectiveness, he restricted himself to the comment that this body is meeting regularly. "I attended the meetings of SJC thrice since I took charge of Attorney General Office around one month back," he said.
Answering another question about accountability process targeting politicians, Anwar Mansoor said the cases against the politicians were initiated under suo motu actions of superior judiciary and were sent to appropriate forum such as NAB for investigations.
Speaking on 1973 Constitution, Mansoor called it one of the most well-articulated documents, which can be ranked among the top eight to ten constitutions of the world. He, however, pointed out that this constitution has only one lacuna that it introduced parliamentary system in the country.
"I am in favour of a presidential form of governance in the country and do believe that former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was also in favour of presidential form of governance," he opined.
About the judicial system, he said judges are not solely responsible for the delay in justice but the lawyers also have role in it. This is the reason that a backlog of 20 months of cases in 1965 now increased to 14 years at the moment. He said Constitution of the country calls for equal treatment of all citizens; therefore, he urged it should be ensured if we need to promote peace, calm, business and all what we need in our society.
Sharing memories of his professional career with the participants, Anwar Masood Khan said he served as Advocate General Sindh and judge of high court whereas he is serving in the capacity of attorney general for the second time. He disclosed that he resigned from Advocate General Office when former president Pervez Musharraf forced out then Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry from his office and restrained him from going to court.
The Attorney General revealed he had recommended to Pervez Musharraf to let SJC decide the issue of Iftikhar Chaudhry but unfortunately, his advice was overlooked. Earlier, Navaid M. Khan, Charter President Rotary Club of Karachi Centennial welcomed Attorney General of Pakistan.