ISLAMABAD: On that fateful day on March 3, as terrorists sprayed bullets around the district courts in the heart of the federal capital, the legal community lost a promising young Lawyer. It was only Fizza Malik’s second day on the job. But her legacy lives on; through her family, friends and colleagues, along with scored of youth around the country who have been inspired by her story.

In a recently held meeting at Islamabad Club, the members of the newly-founded ‘Fizza Trust’ informally launched the organisation that intends to carry on the legacy of the young hero. The trust will be used as a platform to provide scholarships to young women.

The legal fraternity paid tribute to her by naming a library at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) after her. While, the trust named after her seems promising, the library seems insufficient homage to the memory of this inspirational young woman.

Renaming institutions to pay tribute to admired figures is a norm in Pakistan. But such tributes have little worth if they cannot carry forward their legacy.

IHC library named after slain lawyer Fizza Malik may not be fitting homage, but a trust instituted to provide women scholarships may fill that void

Nestled amongst the many rooms of the unassuming IHC building, the library occupies just two. It holds numerous texts and is frequented by lawyers for research. There are a few computers that feature an online law resource, along with printing and photocopy facilities. The library has 3,000 members.

According to Library Secretary Raja Shiraz Ahmed Janjua, the library holds texts dating back to 1947, as well as some pre-partition texts from India. The hard copies are particularly useful to lawyers when internet facilities are out of order. Texts are also contributed by senior members of the court.

The library also has a website, which is currently under construction, as well as a directory that is renewed annually.

The library is only open to lawyers and, according to Librarian Mubashir Hashmi, stays busy till 3pm – an hour before it closes.

Related: Fizza Malik: Beyond the death toll

However, Fizza Library is the second library within the court. The Islamabad High Court library, colloquially known as the “judges’ library”, is described by Hashmi as bigger and more extensive.

When asked about the library’s value to lawyers, High Court Advocate Atta Ullah Kundi said it was very useful.

However he added that many lawyers also have personal libraries which they often use, which is why the library within the court may not be not as useful for them.

Lawyer and activist Humaira Masihuddin commended the move to name the library after Malik. She said that both Malik and her friend – who was also injured in the attack and has since returned to work – should be “saluted for their courage”.

Improving the library would be a fitting tribute to the young lawyer, whom Janjua called a “symbol for law professionals” – especially in light of Malik’s aspiration for knowledge.

Janjua expressed his admiration for Malik, and noted her ability to navigate the katchehri environment despite hardships faced by young women in the profession and society.

Secretary Janjua said that the decision to name the library after Fizza Malik was taken by Islamabad High Court Bar President Mohsin Kiani, who was a colleague of Malik.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Ms Malik was remembered during the first ever meeting of the ‘Fizza Trust’ at Islamabad Club. The trust was established last week by Tariq Malik, Fizza’s father, with an aim to work for the education of girls, however, the formal inauguration of the trust will be done in August.

Tariq Malik, while addressing the meeting, said, “Sacrifice laid down by Fizza would not go to waste and the trust had been establish to carry on Fizza’s wish to make a difference in the judicial and legal practice system of Pakistan; make it gender-friendly and bring justice to the needy.”

“The trust will work towards bringing a positive change in Pakistani society, especially focusing on legal education, while also working towards bringing opportunities to young women,” he said.

Murtaza Noor, moderator of the meeting and a member of the trust, said that it would finance and offer need-based scholarships to young girls who want to attain law degrees.

“The first priority would be given to applications coming from rural and marginalised regions of Pakistan. ‘Fizza Fellowship for Law’, ‘Fizza Gold Medal for Outstanding Young Women’ and a special awareness campaign would be launched to sensitise young women regarding their fundamental constitutional rights,” he said.

Muhammad Asif, the convener of the trust, informed that ‘Fizza Day’ would be celebrated each year on March 3 to commemorate the slain lawyer’s life.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2014