Consecutive martial laws hindered true democratic system in country: CJP

KARACHI: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali on Saturday said it is unfortunate that due to the consecutive imposition of martial laws not only could a true democratic system not be established in the country but also the people remain ignorant of the real spirit of democracy.

Addressing a ceremony organised by the Endowment Fund for the Preservation of Heritage to pay tribute to renowned lawyer late Abdul Hafeez Pirzada at the Mohatta Palace Museum, the chief justice said the country faced lawlessness and disturbances and the undemocratic forces flourished due to such undemocratic rule. 

Chief Justice Jamali paid rich tributes to the leading member of a committee which gave the unanimous Constitution to the country after the 1971 debacle and said that Abdul Hafeez Pirzada had a distinctive personality both as a lawyer and politician and was widely recognised worldwide.

He said that Abdul Hafeez Pirzada was a patriotic man who served the country all of his life and remained associated with the legal profession for 57 years. He said that Pirzada remained the minister of law in the middle of his 30’s and performed his duties on other portfolios with responsibility till 1977. He said that Abdul Hafeez Pirzada disassociated himself from politics after the 1977 military coup and was not part of any political set-up under the patronage of the military establishment. Besides, he also denied performing any role in subsequent PPP governments and supported the righteousness and national interest, he added.  

He said that the major aspect of Pirzada’s personality was his uprightness which preferred national interest to personal interest. He recalled that Hafeez Pirzada despite his illness appeared before the court in the 21st constitutional amendment case and urged the court to hear his submissions in the case so that he could go abroad for medical treatment. He recommended to the government to confer pride of performance award on the late Pirzada for his remarkable services to the nation.

Haseeb Pirzada, son of late Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, recalled that former premier of Pakistan, late ZA Bhutto had widely appreciated Pirzada after the Constitution for his zeal and untiring efforts to finish the phenomenal historic task. He also lauded his father for demonstrating legal and political mind in authoring the Constitution.

He thanked to the Endowment Fund Trust for holding a ceremony to pay tribute to his late father for his services to the nation. Haseeb called his father a great teacher, who had helped his children lose fear and cope with difficulties.

Justice Amir Hani Muslim, judge of the Supreme Court, who also spoke on the occasion, called late Pirzada as one of the ‘finest’ lawyers of the country and ‘father’ of the 1973 Constitution. He said that Pirzada had great admiration among the legal fraternity of the country for his services who encouraged junior lawyers in the profession. Inaugurating the ceremony, renowned banker Jahangir Siddiqui welcomed the chief justice of Pakistan in the event and paid tribute to late Pirzada.

Managing trustee of the endowment fund trust Hameed Haroon called Abdul Hafeez Pirzada as ‘the man of culture’, who had worked hard for the promotion of the country’s culture and setting up institutes for this purpose.

Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, judges of the superior judiciary and senior advocates attended the ceremony.