The writer is a barrister by profession. She is currently working with Supreme Court advocate Mr Shahid Ikram Siddiqui. She tweets @Lamia0071
We entered the air-conditioned court room of the Lahore High Court and I took the seat on the extreme left corner, which would give me a direct view of the counsels when proceedings would begin.
I began to go through the case papers which Mr Siddiqui was to present that day. I was deeply engrossed when my colleague brought to my notice that the opposing counsel had entered the room. He walked in with an associate who was smartly dressed in proper lawyer attire and was holding a bulky stack of papers.
One of the judges seemed to be very to the point and blunt with his remarks. The next announcement got Mr Siddiqui and the opposing counsel on their feet. They scurried to the rostrum and took their positions. At this point, I was on the end closer to the opposing counsels. The senior lawyer, who was the original lawyer to the proceedings, announced that their case would be represented by the young lad whose name I didn’t grasp at that point but the next day would scream out to the lawyer community. This lawyer was Zain Ghaffar.
Zain didn’t look nervous and had a calm expression on his face. He was facing one of the most competent and senior lawyers of Pakistan, along with two very probing judges. Mr Siddiqui made crisp and detailed arguments. Zain started the rebuttal and his arguments flowed in with precision. His voice had conviction and his body language was confident. It was a long proceeding where the judges didn’t pass any order and adjourned for the next hearing. The proceedings made me witness a fine exchange of arguments. It was a match where both parties looked like winners.
The following day at work, I asked Mr Siddiqui about the status of the order the judges had passed. He had a melancholic expression on his face and said that Zain had been shot dead. Therefore, the judges had adjourned the passing of the order. Mr Siddiqui said he liked complimenting such talented youngsters and had decided to give Zain a pat the next time he saw him. The next time never came for Zain.
He was shot dead on his way to court by two unidentified persons. He was complainant to a case for his kin, who was murdered six months ago over land worth tens of millions of rupees. Two out of the four culprits who were involved in his kin’s murder had escaped and were not arrested.
Zain wanted justice for his family member’s murder and that seemed to be his only fault. The Gujranwala police had informed him 10 days before his murder that his life was under threat. The police were told that the culprits had left Gujranwala’s vicinity. Despite the police warning, no protection was provided to him.
Indeed, his death is a loss to the lawyer community.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 4th, 2013.
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You are all big smiles for Zain's death. How appropriate.
RIP Zain, my heart goes out to you and your bereaved family. I don't have any words to express for my deepest sorrow for your untimely demise and the loss of your family.
It seems criminals and land mafia are free to kill citizens who dare to challenge them. Men like Zain Ghaffar die for they dare to stand up in Pakistan. Where is the police, the FIA and others?
Lawlessness of such magntude can stop, will stop. The only thing that is needed is the Will of the people to enable themselves the ablility to stop it. How can people do it? By some hard work of organising themselves. Organising themselves to be able to prevail over all the obstacles. Can people do it? Where there is will, there is way.
Life is rendered cheap because the law enforcement along with the judicial system do not do what they are duty and oath bound to do. Zain Ghaffar was definitely a loss but so were and will be, many others simply because the system has collapsed.
Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Ilaihe Rajeoon. RIP Zain Ghaffar. This is where an effective anti-terrorist force plays its role and this also, where reforms in the police are meant to be taken with enthusiasm and energy to make it intelligent, agile, and effective. Salams
@Ahmed....Where as one agrees with what you have suggested,but they are too busy these days to get coveted positions.They might look into such matters,if pursued vigorously, after a while.
Proves that the lawyer's movement was only focused on restoring the CJ and not bringing supremacy of law.
That is disgustingly sad. In your position as a barrister and working with a senior SC Lawyer please get new CM Shehbaz Sharif's attention to conduct proper investigation for Zain's death. May Allah bless him and give his soul peace.