LAHORE, Sept 18: Justice Mian Saqib Nisar of the Lahore High Court has asked Punjab Law Secretary Sheikh Farooq Ahmad to apprise the court of the money the Punjab government spent on engaging private lawyers.

The judge sought the details after taking exception to the engagement of a private counsel by the Punjab Housing Department at the cost of Rs1 million. The judge observed that the government was causing loss to the national exchequer by engaging private counsel despite the availability of enough law officers to dispense with its work.

To a court query, the law secretary said 17 additional advocate generals and 37 assistant advocate generals were being paid by the Punjab government for representing it before 31 judges of the high court.

“An additional advocate general draws Rs250,000 a month while an assistant advocate general takes Rs150,000 a month. It is sad if they are still not able to represent the government in courts,” the judge observed.

The secretary said according to the rules, the government could appoint only 11 additional advocate generals and 31 assistant advocate generals. He added that 12 law officers were appointed beyond the permissible strength by the chief minister.

He submitted that the chief minister had approved engaging private counsel in cases where the Punjab government needed representation in courts. Justice Nisar observed it was hard to understand as to why the government had made appointments beyond the permissible strength.

The secretary said the AG office budget was raised to Rs79 million in 2007 from Rs60 million in 2005. Justice Nisar observed: “There was a time when the noblest of the lawyers were appointed law officers. Much has changed ever since.”

The hearing will resume on Oct 17.