It has yet to be ascertained if Anwar Mansoor Khan tendered his resignation from the coveted post of attorney general on the call of the Pakistan Bar Council or he was told by the government to do so after his uncalled for comments about some members of the Supreme Court. Khan unexpectedly delivered the resignation, saying that it was his own decision and that too on the demand of the Pakistan Bar Council. He has also withdrawn the controversial statement as per the orders of the bench. The statement, which the media did not report on the instructions of the Supreme Court, did not go well with the judges and they told the now former attorney general to either apologise or come up with evidence to prove his controversial statements. The controversy persisted for two days and after the federal government disowned from the remarks, Khan was under immense pressure from the Pakistan Bar Council and the Supreme Court Bar Association to quit the post and also tender apology. The government’s reaction to the attorney general’s resignation shows that it does not want to escalate any controversy with the judiciary. That is the best approach one can have for the smooth functioning of the system. It submitted to the court: “It is pointed out that the federal government of Pakistan and the answering respondents hold the superior judiciary for Pakistan in the highest respect and esteem. Accordingly, the federal government and the answering respondents dissociate themselves from the statement of the learned attorney general”. It is also praiseworthy that the bench exercised restrained so that no uncertain situation emerged. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan says Khalid Javed Khan will succeed Khan as the new attorney general. Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto used to consult him on legal matters when she was prime minister from 1993-1996. He is an expert on constitutional law, income tax, sales tax, customs, land matters, banking law and service laws. It is hoped that things would revert to normal now. *