Q: Can you briefly introduce yourself and share your journey into the legal profession?
A: I am an Advocate of the Supreme Court with a law firm in Karachi. I completed my LLB, LL.M, and M.A from Karachi University. During my studies, I was active in student politics and served as General Secretary of the Student Union at Government Islamia Law College, Karachi. I joined the legal profession by choice and was enrolled as an Advocate in 1980, later becoming an Advocate of the High Court in 1982 and the Supreme Court in 2002. Additionally, I am a registered Foreign Lawyer for England and Wales. Throughout my career, I have represented numerous cases across all court levels. I have also served in various leadership roles, including Honorary Joint Secretary (1991, 1992), Honorary Secretary (2001), and President (2015) of the Sindh High Court Bar Association.

Q: What inspired you to pursue law and who influenced you early on?
A: I sought a career that was both challenging and rewarding, with a passion for justice, protecting rights, and addressing legal challenges. This motivated me to join the legal profession.

Q: How did your tenure as President of the Sindh High Court Bar Association shape your career?
A: My presidency focused on serving the Bar members and improving Bench-Bar relations, which were initially strained. Restoring a positive working environment helped establish a healthier atmosphere in court. I consistently advocated for legal supremacy, judicial independence, and democracy while also supporting underprivileged litigants who could not afford legal representation.

Q: What challenges did you face during your tenure and how did you address them?
A: One of my key contributions was advancing the Sharaf Faridi Housing Project, which had long been delayed. I resolved several issues in collaboration with the Chief Justice of the High Court and the Chief Minister of Sindh.

Q: How has Pakistan’s legal profession evolved over the years?
A: The legal profession remains noble and essential, with litigants still seeking skilled lawyers. It offers diverse specializations and maintains its prestige, with lawyers often holding influential positions in society.

Q: What are the most pressing issues in Pakistan’s judicial system today?
A: Pakistan's judicial system faces numerous challenges that hinder its ability to deliver justice efficiently and effectively. A significant backlog of cases and persistent delays continue to overwhelm the courts, while corruption and a lack of accountability further erode public trust. The judiciary's independence is often compromised by executive interference, making impartial decision-making difficult. Additionally, inadequate infrastructure and limited resources hamper judicial operations, restricting access to justice, particularly for marginalized communities. These issues highlight the urgent need for comprehensive judicial reforms and modernization to enhance the system's efficiency and credibility.

Q: How can judicial reforms enhance the efficiency and credibility of courts?
A: Despite periodic judicial reforms, further improvements are essential to enhance the efficiency and credibility of Pakistan's courts. Key measures include implementing robust case management systems, increasing transparency and accountability, and strengthening judicial independence. Regular training for judges and court staff can enhance their expertise, while alternative dispute resolution mechanisms can help reduce case backlogs. Additionally, upgrading court infrastructure and integrating modern technology can streamline judicial processes, ensuring a more effective and accessible justice system.

Q: What steps can be taken to ensure speedy justice and reduce case backlogs?
A: Ensuring speedy justice and reducing case backlogs require the Bench, Bar, and litigants to fulfill their responsibilities effectively. However, swift justice should not come at the cost of fair proceedings. To achieve this, key measures include implementing efficient case management systems, increasing judicial capacity, setting time limits for case resolution, promoting alternative dispute resolution, leveraging technology like e-filing and video conferencing, and streamlining court procedures through regular reviews.

Q: How independent is Pakistan’s judiciary, and what factors threaten its impartiality?
A: Pakistan's judiciary has faced persistent challenges in maintaining its independence, often encountering interference from the executive branch. This influence manifests in various ways, such as pressure to rule in favor of certain interests or attempts to manipulate judicial appointments. Key issues include executive interference, political pressure, and corruption, lack of transparency, and external influences from entities like the military and media.

Q: What role should the legal community play in upholding the rule of law?
A: The legal community plays a crucial role in safeguarding the rule of law by defending constitutional rights, ensuring accountability for those in power, and promoting transparency. Additionally, legal professionals contribute by educating the public about legal matters and advocating for judicial independence and integrity.

Q: Is Pakistan’s legal education system producing competent lawyers? What improvements are needed?
A: Legal education has improved due to Pakistan Bar Council regulations and Supreme Court judgments. However, students and young lawyers still need better training and guidance. The system should emphasize practical training, clinical education, research, writing, alternative dispute resolution, a more effective bar exam, and continuous legal education.

Q: What advice would you give to young lawyers entering the field?
A: Hardworking lawyers who prepare cases diligently have a promising future. They should stay updated on legal developments, enhance research and writing skills, gain practical experience, uphold professionalism, and adapt to changes in the legal landscape.

Q: How can the Bar Association support professional development?
A: The Bar Association can support the professional growth of its members by organizing continuing legal education (CLE) programs, facilitating mentorship opportunities, and hosting workshops on emerging legal trends. Additionally, it can provide networking events, conferences, and access to online resources and training materials.

Q: What challenges do bar councils and associations face, and how can they be resolved?
A: Bar Councils and Associations are entrusted with addressing the challenges faced by lawyers at various levels. It is their core responsibility, as elected bodies, to fulfill the purpose for which they were established. However, they often encounter obstacles such as resistance to reform, limited resources, internal conflicts, challenges in regulating lawyer conduct, and the need to keep pace with technological advancements.

To overcome these issues, effective measures include strategic planning and strong leadership, enhancing transparency and accountability, fostering collaboration with legal stakeholders, investing in technology and infrastructure, and actively engaging and educating members.

Q: How do you view trends in bar politics and their impact on the legal community?
A: A growing number of talented and competent young lawyers are joining the profession, bringing valuable potential to the legal field. However, it is essential for them to dedicate their initial years to mastering their core responsibilities before engaging in bar politics. With time, bar politics has evolved, but it must always serve the best interests of both the institution and its members, rather than any personal or external agendas.

Q: How do you assess the judiciary-executive relationship in Pakistan?
A: The judiciary must remain impartial and dispense justice without fear or favor, regardless of executive approval.

Q: What legal reforms are urgently needed in Pakistan?
A: Judicial appointments should be based solely on merit, ensuring that officers possess the necessary competency, integrity, and impartiality. It is essential for the judiciary to dispense justice fairly and in strict accordance with the law and constitution. Pakistan urgently requires legal reforms to enhance judicial efficiency, reduce case backlogs, and ensure free and fair elections. Reforms in the criminal justice system are needed to address police brutality and ensure timely trials, while stronger anti-corruption measures can enhance accountability. Additionally, safeguarding human rights, particularly those of minorities and women, remains a critical priority.

Q: How can the legal fraternity ensure human rights protection?
A: Ensuring the appointment of competent judicial officers on merit is crucial, but equally important is providing the judiciary with adequate infrastructure, staff, and modern technology to expedite case resolution. Despite constitutional guarantees of human rights and equal protection, the reality often falls short. Safeguarding human rights requires collective action from all state institutions, as no single entity can achieve this alone. The legal community plays a vital role by offering pro bono services to marginalized groups, challenging unconstitutional laws, representing victims, raising awareness through advocacy, and supporting human rights initiatives.

Q: Is Pakistan’s legal system accessible to common citizens? How can it improve?
A: While Pakistan's legal system is open to all, true accessibility remains a challenge due to complexities, high costs, lack of awareness, and limited legal aid. To improve access to justice, efforts should focus on simplifying legal procedures, increasing funding for legal aid, promoting legal education, leveraging technology for dispute resolution, and establishing community-based legal clinics.

Q: What message would you like to give to future leaders in Pakistan’s legal profession?
A: I urge senior leaders in the legal profession to share their knowledge and experiences with the next generation, guiding and mentoring young lawyers. Their insights and cooperation are invaluable in shaping the future of the Bar. They should lead by example, upholding integrity, ethics, and professionalism, advocating for justice and human rights, adapting to emerging challenges, fostering unity within the profession, and demonstrating strong leadership with a commitment to the rule of law.