Senior Pakistani jurist and former Senator Syed Muhammad Zafar, widely known as SM Zafar, passed away at the age of 93, as confirmed by his family members in Lahore on Thursday. The family disclosed that he had been battling illness for an extended period. Born in Burma on December 6, 1930, SM Zafar embarked on his legal career in the 1950s after graduating from University Law College. Following his retirement from government service in 1968, he established his private law practice and retired as an active law practitioner in 2014.
SM Zafar was not only a distinguished legal expert but also a prominent human rights activist and a well-known lawyer in Pakistan. He was the father of Barrister Ali Zafar, a prominent leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and served as the federal minister of Law and Justice from 1965 to 1969. Among his notable legal achievements were the acquittal of Pakistani Scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, involvement in the drafting of the 1973 Constitution, and participation in the drafting of the 18th constitutional amendment. Before his retirement from politics in 2018, SM Zafar had also served as a senator as part of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q). He received several awards and accolades for his exceptional contributions to the country, including the Nishan-e-Imtiaz in 2012.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar expressed his deep sorrow over SM Zafar’s passing, offering prayers for the departed soul’s eternal peace and extending condolences to the grieving family. Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi also conveyed his grief, highlighting SM Zafar’s eminence as a jurist and his humble nature. He emphasized that SM Zafar’s legacy would be enduringly remembered.
President Arif Alvi described SM Zafar as a friend, an exceptional constitutionalist author, and a brilliant advocate, offering his condolences and prayers to the family. Maleeha Lodhi, former ambassador to the United States, United Kingdom, and United Nations, commended SM Zafar as an outstanding lawyer and a warm and welcoming individual. Former MNA Marvi Memon expressed that his passing was a loss for the Parliament and the politics of Pakistan. PTI leader Hammad Azhar remembered SM Zafar as a kind, gentle soul brimming with wisdom.
