ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected repeated requests of Additional Attorney General KK Agha to allow Dr Khalid Ranjha to represent the federation in place of Kamal Azfar in the review petition against the NRO verdict. The court directed Agha to get specific instructions from the government about the counsel until April 14. During the hearing, Azfar submitted that it appeared as if the government did not want to let the case proceed for fear of dismissal and was making excuses. Heading the 17-member bench, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said if the government was really serious in abiding by the law, it should implement the court’s order. He said rules were framed under the constitution and departure from them would not serve the aim of justice.
Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani asked Agha if he wanted the court to strike a balance between Order 26 of Rule 6 and Article 10A, he should argue the case on his own, adding that if he was ready then the court would give him time to prepare. However, it said the court could not adjourn the case for indefinite period. Earlier, pleading on the behalf of the federation, Agha said if the federal government was not allowed to substitute its counsel, it would not take part in the proceedings.
Agha said the federation was only seeking protection under Article 10A. He said all the rules were subject to the constitution, adding that this case was unusual. He stated that the federation had filed an application for substitution of its counsel. The chief justice said if Azfar did not appear in the case, his advocate on record (AOR) would have to argue the case.
