August 22, 2008	Friday	Sha'aban 19, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Aug 21: PPP Senator Sardar Mohammad Latif Khosa took over as the new Attorney General of Pakistan on Thursday with a pledge to “restore the dignity” of the office which he described as a bridge between the judiciary and parliament.

He was appointed by Acting President Mohammadmian Soomro after Malik Mohammad Qayyum quit following Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s resignation.

Mr Qayyum has been widely criticised for appearing as private counsel for Pervez Musharraf and being paid for that while holding the government office of profit.

Senator Khosa claimed that he could continue to hold hid Senate seat.

“There is no constitutional bar in retaining both offices simultaneously,” he told reporters at his office.

Although he was all praise for the media and admired its role of disseminating information to the public, he made it clear that now he would not be available to the press as he used to be in the past.

“There will be no press conferences by me as it is the requirement of this office.”

He said: “Today the people of Pakistan are aware of their legal rights and obligation only due to their orientation to the Constitution and the media has played a key role in this regard.”

Mr Khosa was elected senator from Punjab in 2003. He is on a number of Senate standing committees.