LAHORE: Senior Pakistani jurist and former Senator Syed Muhammad Zafar, popularly known as SM Zafar, passed away at the age of 93, his family members in Lahore confirmed on Thursday.
The family revealed that the legal expert had been ailing for a long time.
Also known as one of the most prominent Pakistani human rights activist and noted lawyer, Zafar was the father of Barrister Ali Zafar — a top leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) — and served as the federal minister of Law and Justice from 1965 to 1969.
The veteran jurist was born in Burma on December 6, 1930, and began his career as a lawyer in the 1950s after graduating from University Law College.
After retiring from the government in 1968, he started his own law practice and hung the boots as an active law practitioner in 2014.
His landmark legal contributions include the acquittal of Pakistani Scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, the discussion and draft of the 1973 Constitution, and participation in the drafting of the 18th constitutional amendment.
The veteran lawyer had also served as a senator as part of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) before announcing his retirement from politics in 2018.
Besides being a Nishan-e-Imtiaz (2012) holder, Zafar received several other awards and souvenirs for his services to the country.
PM, Info Minister saddened over demise of SM Zafar
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of eminent lawyer and former Senator Syed Muhammad Zafar.
In a statement on Thursday, the caretaker prime minister prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.
نگران وزیراعظم انوار الحق کاکڑ کا معروف قانون دان اور سابق سینیٹر سید محمد ظفر کے انتقال پر گہرے دکھ اور افسوس کا اظہار۔
وزیراعظم کی مرحوم کے لئے بلندئ درجات کی دعا اور لواحقین سے تعز یت pic.twitter.com/YmvIOwrnpS
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) October 19, 2023
Anwaarul Haq Kakar also commiserated with the bereaved family.
Meanwhile, Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi has also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the demise of eminent lawyer and former Senator Syed Muhammad Zafar.
The caretaker information minister said SM Zafar was not only an eminent jurist but also a humble human being. He said the services of SM Zafar (Late) will always be remembered.
Murtaza Solangi also commiserated with the bereaved family.
Expressing grief at the lawyer’s death, President Arif Alvi called Zafar a friend, an “outstanding constitutionalist author and a brilliant advocate”. He offered his condolences to Zafar’s family and prayed for the deceased.
My condolences to my friend & lawyer Senator Ali Zafar & his family on the death of his father Dr S M Zafar, the outstanding constitutionalist author & brilliant advocate. May his soul rest in peace.
When I finished reading his book "Democracy and Islam in History" that he had…— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) October 19, 2023
“When I finished reading his book Democracy and Islam in History that he had graciously sent to me, I […] sent a message to him on his excellent treatise,” the president said.
PML-Q terms demise as huge loss
Former MNA and PML-Q Women’s Wing President Mrs Farrukh Khan expressed heartfelt sorrow and grief over the departing of late S.M. Zafar. In a special message, Mrs Farrukh Khan said that S M Zafar was a dear colleague and a mentor whom she would always take pride in serving with.
She said the void created by the demise of S M Zafar would not be filled and she prayed that may Allah Almighty bless the departed soul in Jannah.
Maleeha Lodhi — former ambassador to the United States, United Kingdom and United Nations — described Zafar as an “outstanding lawyer” and a “warm and welcoming human being”.
Saddened to hear SM Zafar has passed away. He was a close friend of my parents and family, an outstanding lawyer and a warm and wonderful human being. May he rest in peace. Deepest condolences to the family. My thoughts and prayers are with them at this trying time.
— Maleeha Lodhi (@LodhiMaleeha) October 19, 2023
Former MNA Marvi Memon said the lawyer’s death was a loss for Parliament and politics of Pakistan.
Roshaneh sincerest condolences on the loss of your father the great Senator SM Zafar. We were his students. He was a great man indeed. Loss for the parliament of Pakistan and politics of Pakistan.
— Marvi Memon (@marvi_memon) October 19, 2023
PTI leader Hammad Azhar said Zafar was a “kind and gentle soul and full of wisdom”.
Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.
Dr S M Zafar sahib was a kind and gentle soul and full of wisdom. https://t.co/t3WsXRf5RR— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) October 19, 2023
