KARACHI: Advocate General of Sindh Barrister Zamir Hussain Ghumro and Additional Advocate General Sindh Malik Naeem Iqbal tendered their resignations on Friday.
“I am glad that I have served the province of Sindh for more than two years with dedication and integrity and defended its constitutional rights before the superior courts and advised the cabinet in the best interest of the province so that it can exercise its executive and legislative authority independently in accordance with the constitution and through its own appointed officers”, states Ghumro’s resignation letter, a copy of which is available with Pakistan Today.
The move comes after the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar threw light on the advocate general’s appointment. Sindh government has finished its tenure, but you are still working on the same post,” remarked the CJP.
While speaking to the media, Ghumro who is also the who is the chief law officer of the Sindh government, informed that he had given in his resignation well before the caretaker government setup took charge, however, he was asked to prolong his services to the state for the welfare of the province, adding that he resigned under Article 140(4) of the Constitution.
“I must appreciate the elected provincial government of Sindh and the leadership under which it was working who reposed full confidence in me and served the masses of Sindh despite heavy odds against democratic setup,” he said.
“I contested important cases of the province of Sindh and was able to establish the right of the province to legislate and exercise its executive authority through its own appointed officers in the province of Sindh. I defended the constitutional autonomy to the province of Sindh after the 18th amendment. I also must appreciate the cooperation of the bar and civil administration of Sindh during my incumbency”, he added.
“Although there is no requirement of constitution of law that Advocate General of the province may tender resignation during caretaker setup like governors of the province. Yet in a situation when caretaker setup has been installed and the new political government is to be heralded soon, I deem it proper and appropriate in the prevailing circumstances to step down and resign as Advocate General Sindh. It is requested that my resignation may be accepted forthwith,” Ghumro concluded.
Similarly, Additional Advocate General Sindh Malik Naeem Iqbal also tendered his resignation.
“I am glad that I have served the province of Sindh for more than two months under the able guidance of Advocate General Sindh. In the circumstances, I feel it no more possible for me to perform my duties as Additional Advocate General Sindh and I hereby tender my resignation,” he stated.
However, local news sources report that the advocate general and his assistant had held a meeting with the caretaker chief minister (CM) following the chief justice’s remarks during which they were advised to give in their resignations.