FULL COURT REFERENCE OF SUPREME COURT IN RESPECT OF LATE MR. JUSTICE RASHID AZIZ KHAN, JUDGE, SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN, ISLAMABAD.

Address by
MR. KAMRAN MURTAZA
Vice-Chairman
Pakistan Bar Council

(8^th February 2018)

• Hon’ble Mr. Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Chief Justice of Pakistan;

• Hon’ble Mr. Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, Senior Pusine Judge;

• Hon’ble Judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan;

• Mr. Ashtar Ausaf Ali, Attorney-General for Pakistan & Chairman, Pakistan Bar Council.

• Pir Muhammad Kaleem Ahmed Khursheed, President, Supreme Court Bar Association;

• Distinguished Members of Bar Councils & Office bearers of Bar Associations;

• Learned Members of the Bar;

• Ladies and Gentlemen.

Assalam-o-Alikum,

We have assembled here today to mourn the sad demise of Mr. Justice Rashid Aziz Khan, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan who breathed his last on 29th November, 2014 (انا للہ و انا الیہ راجعون). All human beings are mortals. Death is inevitable and none escapes from it, as every living creature has to suffer it at its destined moment. Allah Almighty did not make any exception on this count in favour of any one. The beginning and end of life are known to Allah alone. May Allah Almighty give us wisdom and ability to learn His Commands and may we obey Him and His Prophet (PBUH) in all spheres of our lives.

Mr. Justice Rashid Aziz Khan was born on 1st September, 1941 at Lahore. He was Son of Late Mr. Justice Abdul Aziz Khan, the renowned Jurist and Former Chief Justice High Court of the then West Pakistan. After having passed LL.B. from the University of Punjab in 1963, he started his law practice after being enrolled as pleader on 5th January, 1965. He was enrolled as an Advocate of the then High Court of West Pakistan on 22nd February, 1967 and as an Advocate of Supreme Court on 7^th December, 1973. Despite being a very busy professional lawyer, he had also been teaching law as visiting Lecturer at Himayat-e-Islam Law College, Lahore from 1969 to 1976, when was appointed as Assistant Advocate-General, Punjab. As recognition of his competence and legal acumen, he was promoted as Additional Advocate-General in 1980 and then as Advocate-General, Punjab in 1984 which office he held till 1987. He was elevated as Judge of the Lahore High Court in 1987. Also remained Member, Election Commission of Pakistan on being so nominated in 1996. He was appointed as Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court in 1997 and held that office for about four years. Thereafter, he was elevated as Judge of the Supreme Court on 4th February, 2000 and remained on the Bench of the apex Court till 2007.

Late Mr. Justice Rashid Aziz Khan was the legal practitioner and Member of the Judiciary in second generation, as his illustrious Father Late Mr. Justice Abdul Aziz Khan remained Judge and the Chief Justice of the then High Court of West Pakistan. He, as such, inherited unique qualities of a successful lawyer and competent Judge as well. Throughout his bright career as professional Lawyer and distinguished Member of the Bench in the Lahore High Court and the Supreme Court, he always rendered invaluable contributions in the process of dispensation of Justice. Being Judge and Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court he rendered remarkable Judgments on diversified propositions involving intricate questions of law which find mention in different law Journals. Besides, being exceptionally competent Judge, he was also a very good human being. His attitude towards Lawyers appeared before him, always remained polite and gentle. In fact as Judge of superior Courts he played an important role for cordial relations between Bench and the Bar.

The sad demise of Mr. Justice Rashid Aziz Khan, reminds to all of us that the death is divinely willed ultimate reality and when it arrives there is no escape form it. At this sad moment I on my own behalf and on behalf of the Pakistan Bar Council express my heartfelt condolences to Members of the bereaved family. May Allah Almighty bless and rest the departed soul in eternal peace. ﴿آمین﴾

Thank You.