Known as an honest judge who believed that a judge’s competence and honesty must be evaluated in light of his judgments. Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Malik Rafaqat Ahmed Awan, was killed in the twin suicide attacks in the district courts on Monday morning.
Awan was an upright and courageous judge, who was struggling to become permanent as his probation period was to end in September. The judge was hearing cases when the incident took place. He left the courtroom but gunmen entered his chamber and killed him.
Appointed as ADSJ in September 2012, Awan served as a judge for a year and a half. He belonged to a middle-class family from Kharian.
High-profile cases
According to court officials, Awan heard two high-profile cases in his career. Last October, the judge had rejected an application filed by Haroon Rashid, son of Lal Mosque deputy cleric Ghazi Abdur Rashid, for registering an FIR against former military ruler Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf for initiating an operation in 2007. In the second case, the judge had acquitted a suspect involved in blasphemy case. Some of the lawyers requesting anonymity said that he might have been killed in connection with the two cases, but the police have so far denied the possibility.
He leaves behind a wife and two children.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 4th, 2014.
Correction: An earlier version of the story mistakenly stated "Justice" in the headline instead of "Judge."
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COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Attock Campus, we would like to meet his family for condolence and share the grief, if anyone could help us reach them, any contacts. we would be grateful.
Rest in peace, May Allah grant you the highest level in heaven. You are our hero and an example for other judges to follow. Salute to you!! Lal mosque people are responsible for this loss of our nation.
May Allah give his soul peace and reward him with Jannat for being honest. Time and time this world has told us that principles don't come cheap. The authorities should include the 'Maulvi in Burka' in the investigation.
He defended a coward, who himself is hiding. Don't become part of the big game for these cowards.
May his soul rest in peace ... I pray for the day when his family get the justice.