NEW DELHI, May 20: The BJP today slammed previous UPA Government for hiring Pakistan lawyer Khawar Qureshi and overlooking Indian lawyers in Dabhol power project case in 2004 at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Qureshi had recently appeared at the ICJ for Pakistan in the Kulbhushan Jadhav’s case.
According to media reports, the UPA Government had hired Pak-origin UK lawyer Khawar Qureshi in 2004. He was reportedly recommended by law firm Fox Mandal for the Dabhol power project case in 2004.
In that particular case, Enron had made a 6 billion US dollars (5 billion pounds) claim against the Government of India and the case went to arbitration.
In 2004, when Congress-led UPA came to power, they changed the entire legal team and appointed Khawar Qureshi to appear on behalf of the Indian Government.
Talking to mediapersons here, BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao questioned Congress led Government’s decision, asking the grand old party if it did not have faith in Indian lawyers.
”The Enron was a crucial matter where in the country’s reputation was at stake in the International Court of Arbitration, and this move of Congress led government was against India’s pride and interest as well,” he said.
Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi has defended the Congress’ decision of hiring Qureshi, saying that it was a ”non issue”.
He said Qureshi was an independent lawyer and Pakistan also hires Indian lawyers. (UNI)
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