The office of Attorney General/Advocate General exists in almost all jurisdictions of the world, irrespective of the presidential or parliamentary form of government. Before independence of the Sub-Continent, the office of the Advocate General was established under the Government of India Act, 1811, the Government of India Act, 1858, under section 114 of the Government of India Act, 1915 and under Section 16 of the Government of India Act 1935. Office of the Advocate General was created for all of United India as well as for the Provinces. The High Court of judicature for the premises of Punjab and Delhi was established at Lahore and was called the High Court of Judicature at Lahore. After 14th August 1947, the High Court at Lahore ceased to have jurisdiction over Delhi and the then East Punjab.
On 14th August, 1947, the High Court (Lahore) Order, 1947, preserved the continuance of the High Court at Lahore with all rights, powers and privileges as till now enjoyed and possessed by it before the appointed day. Advocate General for the Federation after partition, both in Pakistan and India became the Attorney General, whereas for the provinces, this office continued to be referred to as the office of the Advocate General.
An Advocate General of the Province of the Punjab is a constitutional post and is an authority duly appointed under Article 140 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and corresponds to that of Attorney General of Pakistan at the federal or central government level.