STUDENT LIFE
Accordingly SM Zafar opened his eyes in a religious environment. He joined a school called “Madrassa Randherya High School, Yangoon...
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Senator Dr. S.M. Zafar
As a lawyer, Senator SM Zafar brought transformation in the legal profession by various means such as enforcement of the pending Bar Council Act 1962. Mr. Zafar believed that the law will give lawyers independent democratic forum to organize themselves and their affairs. The practice of interviewing would be judges by Field Martial Ayub Khan was given up on the persuasion of Mr. Zafar and appointment of judges of High Courts was thereafter made on merit as per recommendations of Chief Justices of High Courts and Supreme Court Judges.
Besides, appearing in number of high profile cases including the acquittal of Dr AQ Khan in an appeal in the Appellate Court at Hage and the release of Amanullah Khan from a Magistrate Court in Brussels, who was to be deported to India on the behest of Indian Government, Mr. Zafar was also called to assist the court as Pra-Bona Publico in numerous cases.
Finally, he contributed two popular books “Mere Mashoor Muqadmay” and “Understanding Statutes” to the profession besides an instructional manual for entrants in the profession “Be a Competent Lawyer”.
As a politician, Senator S M Zafar enjoyed a pristine reputation of a man of integrity and brilliance. He resigned from the cabinet of General Ayub Khan when he sensed that the cabinet had adopted an undemocratic course leading to martial law. When General Zia ul Haq invited him to join his Advisory Council, he declined to do so and announced his decision through national media (News of Dawn be attached). Mr. Zafar negotiated a deal between General Pervaiz Musharaf and MMA particularly for Musharraf to shed his uniform. On his prevarication Mr. Zafar reminded him in proceeding on the floor of Senate and on national media.
As a social activist he has founded and chaired various human rights organizations as he believes that humanity and society can flourish only when all are given their due rights. He has focused his attention on the education of under privileged children through the NGO founded by him. His own children continued that philosophy and in diverse ways are contributing to the welfare of Pakistan.
As a writer, his columns under the caption “Taz’kray, Jaizay” in daily Jang were a popular series. His books which he wrote on Law, on politics, on humanity, history and Islam are read by all and sundry. As a prolific with the pen as he was with his speech, his rhetoric inspired many young lawyers, politicians and activists to follow their ambitions.
From a humble beginning as a lawyer, he became a role model for success and hope for young Pakistanis. He represented his country in UN Security Council with accolades.
In short, Mr. Zafar led a full life and even at the age of 91 he has produced his latest book “Democracy and Islam in History” to urge that democracy can best serve Islam.
University of the Punjab, Lahore conferred on him degree of Doctor on Philosophy in Law in 2015 in recognition to his services in the field of Law.
Pakistani American Congress proudly bestowed on Mr. Zafar on 6 March, 2005 ‘Life Time Award’ for his rich contribution to positive image building of Pakistan through his scholarship and powerful presentation.
Government College University Lahore conferred ‘Life Time Achievement Award’ in his honour in September, 2021.
HIS STORY
Name
S. M. Zafar (Syed Muhammad Zafar)
Date of Birth
6 December, 1930
Status
Married (Tasneem Zafar),
3 sons (Tariq Zafar, Ali Zafar and Asim Zafar) and 1 daughter (Roshaneh Zafar).
Tariq Zafar died on 23 January, 2019
Address
Zafar House, 300-West Canal Bank, Hanjarwal, Lahore.
Contact Nos.
Landline: (042) 35 29 29 65
Cell: +92 300 8455 377
His Story
SM Zafar was born in a well-to-do family in Rangoon (Yangoon) Myanmar.
Head of the family Syed Muhammad Ashraf Kashfi Shah Nizami, the father of S M Zafar, was employed in a well-known construction company called Walli and Company.
Shah Sahib a disciple (مُرید) of Khawaja Hassan Nizami who described him as follows:
سید کشفی شاھ نظامی پنجاب کے رہنے والے ہیں۔ حضور غوث پاک کی اولاد سے ہیں
سال ھا سال سے بسلسلہ ملازمت برما میں رہائش پزیر ہیں۔ لمبا قد ہے، مظبوط جسم ہے کتابی چہرہ ہے۔ اواز بلند ہے داڑھی رکھتے ہیں۔ بہت کم سخن ہیں۔
مگر پُرجوش مسلمان ہیں باعمل ہیں
سادات بنی فاطمہ کی بہت سی عادات و صفات اُن کے اندر موجود ہیں۔
موجودہ زمانے میں ایسے مسلمان بہت ہی کم پائے جاتے ہیں۔
مصورِ فطرت خواجہ حسن نظامی دہلوی
25 دسمبر، 1930
ہفت روزا اخبار 'منادی' دہلی
Maulana Zafar Ali Khan also spoke about Kashfi shah when he came to Yangoon on 8 November, 1933 in a poem as follows:
کل سنا تھا نام کشفی شاہ کا
آج دیکھا کام کشفی شاہ کا
بادہء توحید سے لبریز ہے
کیف پرورجام کشفی شاھ کا
دعوت وارشاد کے حلقوں میں ہو
ذکر صبح و شام کشفی شاہ کا
وقف کر دے زندگی دیں کے لئے
نیک ہو انجام کشفی شاھ کا
8 نومبر 1933
HIS LIFE
His Life
COLLEGE LIFE
A. (Government College Lahore 1945-1949) Did his F.Sc (non-Medical) 1945-1947 Did his B.A 1947-49 Took part in students’ politics and...
LEGAL PROFESSION
Joined the Chamber of Sardar Muhammad Iqbal, Advocate, who later became the Judge of Lahore High Court, then Chief Justice of West...
MINISTERIAL OFFICE
Took oath of office as Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Government Pakistan 1965-1969. He resigned on 21st of March, 1969 from...
POLITICAL LIFE
Vice President of Punjab Muslim Students Federation 1951-52. Visited Karchi and Rawalpindi in a delegation and met Liaqat Ali Khan, the...
SENATORIAL OFFICE
Elected as a Senator on the ticket of Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid e Azam) 2002-2005 and reelected as such 2006-12. Negotiated a pact...
CONTRIBUTION ON CONSTITUTION
As an adviser on Constitution to the Joint Opposition for drafting the 1973 Constitution contributed in particular to the inclusion of...
SOCIAL SERVICE
Chairman Family Planning Association Pakistan and Member National Council for Family Planning Association; 1972-76. Founder and Chairman...
VOLUNTARY STEPPING DOWN
Took off robe as a lawyer on 23rd May, 2014 and informed Chief Justice of Pakistan of the decision accordingly. Settled all accounts with...
HIS BOOKS
A prolific writer who authored the following books
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Through the Crisis – 1970; (an oral history of crisis that toppled Field Martial Ayub Khan).
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Dictator Kon (ڈکٹیٹر کون), publisher Brite Books, first edition 1975, 9th edition 2005. (Anatomy of dictator and their fate including the era of Ayub Khan and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto).
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Tazkray and Jaizay (تزکرے اور جائزے), Jang Publishers, Edition 1990 (A collection of articles on different subjects published in Daily Jang).
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Mere Mashoor Muqadmay (میرے مشہور مقدمے), Jang Publishers, first edition1995; fourth edition published by Brite Books, 2014.
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Understanding Statutes; publishers PLD, 2008; Revised edition published Manzoor Book House, 2016.
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Edalat main Siasat (عدالت میں سیاست), Brite Books 2002 (cases and their review which effected the course of history)?
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Awam, Parliament, Islam (عوام، پارلیمنٹ، اسلام) Brite Books edition 2005.
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Dialogue on the political chess board, Brite Books 2004 (History with analysis leading up to 17th Constitutional Amendment).
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Pakistan B’nam Corruption (پاکستان بنام کرپشن), Brite Books 2005 (Articles focusing on corruption and the role of the society to eradicate the same).
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Senetor SM Zafar Ki Kahani aunn ki apni zubani, (سینیٹر ایس، ایم ظفر کی کہانی اُن کی اپنی زبانی); Sagar Publishers Lahore 2013 (Role played by the author during his nine years as a Senator and exposure of private conversation with President General Pervaiz Mushaffar).
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Be a Competent Lawyer: Sagar Publisher 3rd edition 2021; (Title speaks for the book).
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History of Pakistan Reinterpreted; Manzoor Law Book House 2019; (New light on two nation theory, as well as on Objectives Resolution1949, with a comprehensive analysis of the legacies of each era of Ayub Khan, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Zia al Haq, Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif and Pervaiz Musharraf and Asif Ali Zardari).
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Jab Tareekh Dohrati he (جب تاریخ دہراتی ہے); Sagar Publishers first edition 2021 (abridged version of Senator SM Zafar ki Kahani un ki apni zubani with addition of subsequent events).
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Democracy and Islam in History; publisher World Times 2021 (A book that strongly argues, logically and historically the concept that democracy is inevitable for the progress of Islamic values of Tolerance, Pluralism, and Freedom of Thought and Consultation).
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Hajj – A journey in Obedience: Book Centre, Lahore.
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