LAHORE: The appointment of Barrister Zafarullah Khan as Punjab’s new advocate general has triggered a debate in sections of the legal fraternity, particularly those associated with the ruling PML-N, with some of them expressing reservations about the selection of an Islamabad-based lawyer for the post.
The office of the advocate general (AG) fell vacant after Amjad Pervaiz was recommended for elevation as an additional judge of the Lahore High Court.
While the formal notification of the judicial appointments is still awaited, the Punjab government moved to fill the vacancy by appointing Barrister Khan as new advocate general.
The appointment has caused resentment among the PML-N lawyers from Punjab. A member of the PML-N lawyers wing, on condition of anonymity, argues that Punjab has no shortage of experienced constitutional practitioners, belonging to the ruling party, who could have been considered for the province’s principal law officer.
Although there is no legal bar, the lawyers belonging to the party contend that importing a lawyer from Islamabad has raised questions about the policy of the government as it appears contradictory to the remarks recently made by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, who, addressing a gathering in Islamabad, announced that the new advocate general for Islamabad would belong to the local legal fraternity. It meant that advocates general in all provinces would belong to the local legal fraternity.
However, PML-N Lawyers Forum-Lahore President Rafaqat Dogar has dispelled this impression, saying the lawyers welcomed Barrister Khan wholeheartedly and that there is no resentment among the lawyers on the appointment of Barrister Khan who is regarded a close aide of Mian Nawaz Sharif.
Beyond the legal debate, the appointment is also being interpreted by some observers with a political angle. They say the appointment reflects Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s preference for placing a trusted legal adviser in one of the province’s most influential constitutional positions.
Some lawyers also relate the development in the context of the recent recommendations for appointments to the Lahore High Court. They argue that those recommendations did not prominently feature candidates directly affiliated with the PML-N, rather belong to Ahsan Bhoon-led Independent Group.
However, a senior leader of the Independent Group, also known as Asma Jahangir Group, rejects this view. He says the situation is interesting as the PPP believes that the PML-N has secured the lion’s share of the judicial appointments in Punjab while the latter felt it had been ignored. He argues that the Independent Group had no role in the judges’ appointment and any nominees associated with it were selected on merit rather than because of their affiliation.
A source, privy to the appointment of the advocate general, claims that Federal Law Minister Tarar has been consulted and taken into confidence by the PML-N’s top leadership before selecting Barrister Khan for the office. He says PML-N president Nawaz Sharif wanted to reward Barrister Khan in view of his services rendered for the party and its leadership in the testing times. He adds that Barrister Khan began his legal career in Lahore before moving his practice to the federal capital and both the law minister and the advocate general enjoy a cordial working relationship.
Barrister Khan has previously served as the federal secretary for law and justice and special assistant to the prime minister. The advocate general has no fixed tenure of service, as he/she holds office during the pleasure of the governor, who acts on the advice of the provincial cabinet or the chief minister.
Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2026
