Islamabad, February 08, 2018 (PPI-OT): My Brethren Judges;
Mr. Ashtar Ausaf Ali, Attorney General for Pakistan;
Mr. Kamran Murtaza, Vice Chairman, Pakistan Bar Council;
Mr. Syed Kalim Ahmad Khurshid, President, Supreme Court Bar Association;
Members of the Bar;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Assalam-o-Alaikum!
Today we have assembled here to mourn the sad demise of our distinguished colleague, late Justice Rashid Aziz Khan, a former Judge of this Court and pay homage and respect to his being. He breathed his last on 29.11.2014. (May Allah Almighty shower His blessings upon the departed soul; Ameen). His departure from this world is yet another reminder to all of us that our stay in this world is temporary and sooner or later we all shall leave for our eternal abode, as ordained in the Holly Quran “Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.”[1] Death is not the end of life but a voyage from this temporary life to the eternal one. The body may perish but the soul remains and enjoys the eternal life. No doubt death is a bitter reality that we all have to face. It has been ordained in the Holly Quran that:-
“Every soul shall taste death. You shall receive your rewards only on the Day of resurrection. Whoever is spared Hell and is admitted to Paradise shall surely gain his end; for the life of this world is nothing but a fleeing vanity [2].”
Justice Rashid Aziz Khan’s death was a great loss for the legal fraternity. He by dint of his hard work reached to the apex Court of the country. I personally knew him initially being the member of Bar and then as a colleague at the Bench. During his tenure as Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, I was elevated to the Bench as a Judge of the said High Court and I am humbled that on account of his foresight and keen eye for a judicial mind, I am able to today serve this nation as the Chief Justice of Pakistan. The participation of eminent personalities from the field of law at this occasion in such a handsome number is a befitting acknowledgment of his long service to the legal field. I thank all of you for attending this ceremony.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Justice Rashid Aziz Khan was born on 1st September, 1941 and started practice in 1964; he was appointed as Assistant Advocate-General, Punjab, in 1976 and as Additional Advocate-General, Punjab in 1979 thereafter as Advocate-General, Punjab in March, 1984. He was elevated to the Bench as Judge of the Lahore High Court in March, 1987 and became the Chief Justice of said Court on 4.11.1997 and was then elevated to this Court as a Judge on 4.2.2000, serving thereafter till 06.07.2001. He enjoyed a respectable place not only among his brother Judges, but also among the members of the legal fraternity.
Some of you may have known that Justice Rashid Aziz Khan in two capacities in the legal fraternity; as a lawyer and as a Judge of the superior Courts; however, I may mention here that he had a third role too, i.e. one of an educationist. Before elevation to the Bench, he served the society as a Lecturer in Himayat-e-Islam Law College, Lahore, from 1969 till 1976. He held the prestigious offices of Member of the Election Commission of Pakistan in 1996 and Chairman of the National Industrial Relations Commission. A perusal of the above credentials of Justice Rashid Aziz Khan reveals that he led a full life, and attained enviable heights in his professional career as a Judge of the superior Courts and as a lawyer.
Justice Rashid Aziz Khan, throughout his career as a Judge, displayed a great understanding of law, quick grasp on various legal issues and deep insight into the humanitarian affairs. He had keen intellect coupled with an amiable and courteous nature. His sweet memories will always be cherished with great respect and his contribution to the dispensation of justice will never be forgotten.
Ladies and gentlemen:
My brother Judges and I again convey our heartfelt condolence to the members of the family of Justice Rashid Aziz Khan. May Allah Almighty bless his departed soul with eternal peace and give the bereaved family courage and patience to bear this irreparable loss.
Ameen!
Thank you very much.
[1] Surah 2 Verse 156
[2] Surah 10 Verse 185
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Supreme Court of Pakistan
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Email: mail@supremecourt.gov.pk