Will not tolerate undue interference in my job, says AGP Khalid Javed

By
Web Desk
|
Attorney General of Pakistan Khalid Javed Khan. Photo: File 

ISLAMABAD: The newly-appointed Attorney General of Pakistan, Khalid Javed Khan, on Wednesday said he does not tolerate undue interference at his job, and that he had always given his honest opinion, even in high profile cases involving former rulers on trial, reported The News

In an informal chat with members of the Press Association of Supreme Court (PAS), the attorney general said that he has a political background, but he does not have any political affiliation, and he would always discharge his duties with professional due diligence.

He said that Pakistan is determined to pursue cases pending at the international front and efforts will be made to get a stay order issued against the over $6 billion fine imposed on Pakistan in the Reko Diq case. He said that Reko Diq is a case of Pakistan’s economic survival. 

Also read: Barrister Khalid Javed Khan appointed Attorney General of Pakistan

“Hence efforts will be made to get a stay order issued against the over $6 billion fine imposed on Pakistan in the Reko Diq case,” Khalid Javed said, adding that reporters covering the Supreme Court will be formally updated and provided information regarding the hearing. 

Last year in July, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) of the World Bank rendered almost $6 billion (Rs950 billion) award against Pakistan in Reko Diq case. The arbitration case started in July 2012 with the constitution of the tribunal, and the final award announcement had been awaited since last year. 

On Friday, the tribunal concluded the case in 700-page verdict awarding a massive $4 billion in penalty and around $2 billion in interest and the expenditure incurred on the case by the TCC. Since this is the largest award in the history of the tribunal, Pakistan now faces a serious threat of assets seizure abroad.

Also read: Appointments in AG office: AGP Khalid seeks clarification from law ministry

Khalid Javed said that after assuming his charge, he, in his meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan, had made it clear to him that he will not defend the federal government in the petition filed by Justice Qazi Faez Isa, challenging a presidential reference in the Supreme Court. 

Khalid Javed said that he has always tried to be more professional in his field and discharging his professional obligations with commitment. He said that the prime minister might have nominated him as he was very much professional, adding that he would try his best to come up to the expectations of the federal government. 

Khlaid Javed said that he was not in favour of long adjournment of cases before the courts and believes that cases pertaining to basic and fundamental rights of the people should be decided at the earliest.

In this respect, Khalid Javed said that he has brought into the notice of the prime minister of all those important cases pending before the court, adding that the list of cases he has provided to the prime minister included the matter of interment centres in tribal areas.