Former AJK chief justice dies at 88

He served as the chief justice of Azad Kashmir for a decade

MUZAFFARABAD: Former chief justice of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Supreme Court and prominent jurist, Justice (retd) Raja Khurshid Kiani breathed his last on Friday after brief illness at the age of 88.

He served as chief justice of the state for a decade from 1980 to 1990 besides serving as a judge of Supreme and High Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He also served as Advocate General of Azad Kashmir before his appointment as judge.

After his retirement from superior judiciary, he was appointed Ombudsman of Azad Jammu and Kashmir where he served for around three years.

AJK President Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan, Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan, AJK Supreme Court Chief Justice Justice Ibrahim Zia, High Court Chief Justice M Tabbasum Aftab Alvi condoled the death of Justice (Retd) Khurshid Kiani and prayed to Almighty Allah that may his soul rest in eternal peace and grant the bereaved family fortitude to bear this loss.

All the superior and subordinate courts including High Court, Sharia Appellant Bench of High Court and Circuit Benches remained closed to mourn the death of the former Chief Justice.

A meeting of Judges Council Chaired by Chief Justice Chaudhry Ibrahim Zia and attended by Senior Justice Raja Saeed Ikram, Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal and Judicial officers and staff of Supreme Court paid tribute to former chief justice for his meritorious services to the higher judiciary.