LAHORE (Dunya News) - Renowned lawyer and former federal law minister S.M. Zafar passed away after a protracted illness on Thursday. He was 93.
S.M. Zafar was the father of known advocate and Senator Barrister Ali Zafar. The late Zafar also remained a senator.
Born on Dec 6, 1930, in Rangoon, Burma, S.M. Zafar was a senior advocate and a former law minister. He was also an accomplished author and penned numerous books.
He contributed articles on both national and international matters in local and foreign publications.
During the Indo-Pak war of 1965, he served as the law minister of Pakistan. It is to his credit that on Sept 19, 1965, at the United Nations Security Council, he presented a resolution for a conditional ceasefire linked to the resolution of the Kashmir issue. He also addressed the United Nations Human Rights Commission.
At 35, he assumed the role of federal minister for law and parliamentary affairs in the Ayub cabinet.
He also played an active part in the lawyers' politics as he was elected as Lahore High Court Bar president in 1975 and Supreme Court Bar in 1979.
His funeral prayers will be held on Friday after Asr prayers in Canal View Society, A-block mosque.
Former MNA Marvi Sarmad termed death of S.M. Zafar as loss for the parliament of Pakistan and politics of Pakistan.
— Marvi Memon (@marvi_memon) October 19, 2023Throughout his career, he won noteworthy cases on both the national and international stages and served as a senator from 2003 to 2012.
Besides his legal and political contributions, he held the position of chancellor at Hamdard University from 2004 to 2012.
He completed his matric from Shakar Garh, intermediate from Government College Lahore, and graduated in law from Punjab University. He was also awarded a doctorate degree from the PU.
Tech Club Convener Jameel Gashkuri recounted a notable incident involving S.M. Zafar, highlighting his unwavering principles. Gishkori recalled a day when he reached Zafar's office in Sadiq Plaza, only to find a persistent party insisting on him to represent an appeal in the Supreme Court.
Despite offers of substantial financial rewards, including a generous fee and a share of property if the case was won, S.M. Zafar stood firm in his refusal. He emphasised that his motivation was rooted in upholding the law and principles, rather than monetary gain. Gishkori, impressed by Zafar's commitment to these principles, questioned why he declined the lucrative offer.
Zafar reiterated that he was dedicated to the pursuit of justice, not financial gain, leaving Gishkori convinced of his unwavering principles.
Zafar wrote many books including Jab Tarikh Dohrati Hai, Be a Competent Lawyer, Mery mashoor muqadmay, Dictator Kon? Pakistan Banam Corruption, Dialogue On The Political Chess Board and others.
As an acknowledgement of his services, the government conferred presidential award Nishan-e-Imtiaz on the noted advocate.
Former Pakistani ambassador to US Maleeha Lodhi said that late Zafar was outstanding lawyer and a warm and wonderful human being.
— Maleeha Lodhi (@LodhiMaleeha) October 19, 2023