PESHAWAR: Prominent lawyer and former senator Barrister Zahoorul Haq expired here in the wee hours here on Tuesday. He was 94.

His funeral was held here at the University Town which was attended by people in large number including present and former judges of the superior courts, lawyers, government servants and others.

Prominent among them were former chief justice of Pakistan, Justice (retired) Nasirul Mulk, former chief justices of Peshawar High Court Justice (retired) Mian Fasihul Mulk and Justice (retired) Qaiser Rashid, sitting judges Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Syed Mohammad Attique Shah, former federal minister Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and law officers.

The deceased was elder brother of former principal of Khyber Medical College, late Professor Dr Sirajuddin and brother-in-law of former judge PHC late Justice Jalaluddin Akberjee.

Well versed in criminal law, Barrister Zahoor was born on June 24, 1929, and had remained attached with the legal profession for over five decades. He was first elected as senator of National Awami Party (NAP) in 1973 and subsequently elected as senator for the second time in 1985.

The deceased had also twice served as advocate general in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and had once served as caretaker minister for law.

During his career he appeared in several important cases in the superior courts. He was also appointed as special government prosecutor in the famous plane hijacking case wherein former prime minister was initially convicted and his sentence was upheld by the Sindh High Court, but subsequently was acquitted by the Supreme Court.

Central leader of Awami National Party, Asfandyar Wali Khan, in his condolence message said that the deceased was a well-known jurist, a longtime associate of Late Khan Abdul Wali Khan and had remained a senator of the party from 1973 to 1975.

“Barrister Zahoor was a principled and honest person who always supported the rule of the people, the supremacy of the constitution and law and strengthening of the democratic system in this country,” he said. He prayed to Almighty Allah to rest his soul in peace and provide courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss.

“The death of Barrister Zahoor-ul-Haq is the end of an era in legal profession. He was one of the most brilliant lawyers,” stated former senator Afrasiab Khattak.

In a message shared on his twitter account, he said: “In 1990s, during legal practice at Peshawar Courts I had the opportunity to learn from him and enjoy his wit and fine humour. May his soul rest in peace.”

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2023