Mass Black Judge

Ashtar Ausaf Ali, MCL ’81, made an emotional return to GW Law recently for an interview about his experience here and shared some career highlights with us.

The Attorney General serves as chief legal advisor to the Government of Pakistan, offering advice and providing representation at all legal proceedings and courts across Pakistan. They have access to every court and tribunal within Pakistan’s boundaries for audience purposes.

The Office of the Attorney-General

The Attorney General Office serves as Pakistan’s chief legal advisor and primary advocate. Appointed by the President upon advice from Prime Minister, its appointment grants it access to all courts and tribunals in Pakistan including Supreme Court of Pakistan for audience rights.

The Attorney General is assisted by a team of Law Officers consisting of Additional and Deputy Attorneys-General. Together, these legal professionals defend and represent the interests of the Federal Government when litigation relating to its departments arises. Ashtar Ausaf Ali MLC ’81 recently visited GW Law for an interview with Dean Blake D. Morant where he discussed his career as principal law officer of Pakistan as well as shared some personal insights into practicing law he’d encountered as principal attorney-general – this makes us especially proud as we welcomed him back as guest speaker! GW Law takes great pride in having educated Mr. Ausaf and hosting him as guest speaker event speaker event!

The Appointment of the Attorney-General

The Attorney-General serves as the primary legal adviser and advocate for the Government in Supreme Court proceedings. Appointed by the President, their tenure of office can only end upon their resignation from office; any candidate for appointment as Attorney-General must possess qualifications suitable for becoming a judge of the Supreme Court.

Elahi informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu via letter that due to unavoidable professional commitments he could no longer accept the appointment as Attorney General.

Mansoor Usman Awan, one of three AGPs appointed since Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was ousted via no-confidence vote in April, was confirmed by President Mamnoon Hussain as Pakistan’s new top law officer on Tuesday. Awan assumed office after Barrister Shehzad Ata Elahi resigned last week; Mr Awan has close ties to PM Sharif as he represented him in several Supreme Court cases and represented Pakistan Bar Council with fierce advocacy.

The Duties of the Attorney-General

The Attorney General serves as legal adviser to both President Barack Obama and heads of government departments, providing advice regarding legislation drafted and contracts entered into by government entities.

He holds the right of audience before Parliament and must provide legal advice regarding matters assigned by the President. According to the Constitution, however, the Attorney-General may not engage in private practice while still holding office.

He is assisted by five deputy attorneys-general and four assistant attorneys-general who supervise his department’s divisions for regulated industries and professions, commercial transactions and litigation, criminal justice, civil justice, government services and employment, government services and employment as well as unofficial opinions for Government. Official opinions are binding while unofficial opinions do not bind. Furthermore, where necessary he may also hire counsel to perform legal services on his behalf but must inform Secretary of State for Justice prior to such engagements taking place.

The Resignation of the Attorney-General

Since October, when former Attorney-General Ashtar Ausaf Ali resigned due to health reasons, Chaudhry Aamir Rehman has been serving in his place at Supreme Court hearings as additional AG.

President Asif Ali Zardari approved Barrister Shehzad Ata Elahi’s resignation and nominated Mansoor Usman Awan from Lahore for Attorney-General of Pakistan (AGP). This young lawyer boasts strong ethics and understanding of legal matters.

After receiving his law degree from Punjab University, Awan received his master’s in law from Harvard and received the Dean’s Award for Leadership. Awan has extensive experience in criminal, constitutional and commercial litigations as well as international and domestic arbitration proceedings. An avid cricketer with strong social awareness credentials; Awan also enjoys living a healthy family life with his wife and two children in Islamabad’s residential areas.