Veteran lawyer SM Zafar passed away in Lahore on Thursday after a prolonged illness, his family said. He was 93. His funeral prayers will be offered in Lahore on Friday (tomorrow).

SM Zafar, a former senator, was the father of Barrister Ali Zafar. He was considered among the great lawyers of the country.

SM Zafar was born in Burma on December 6, 1930. He completed his graduation from the Government College, Lahore. He started practicing law in 1950 after receiving his law degree from the University Law College and became one of the top lawyers.

The veteran lawyer had served as federal minister for law and parliamentary affairs at a young age in Gen Ayub Khan’s last cabinet while he was also a senator of PML-Q from 2003 to 2012. He became the president of the Lahore High Court Bar in 1975 and was also elected the president of the Supreme Court Bar in 1979.

He fought and won many important cases. The late lawyer was also the author of many books and wrote columns. His famous works include ‘Mere Mashoor Muqadmay’ and ‘Dialogue on Political Chessboard’.

Apart from this, he also wrote his autobiography. He authored more than 12 books in Urdu and English.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq was grieved to hear about the death of the lawyer.

“PM prayed for the deceased and officered his condolence to the bereaved family. May Allah grant the deceased a place in Jannat al-Firdous and grant patience to his family. Amen,” the PTV News quoted him as saying.

President Dr Arif Alvi offered his condolence to Senator Ali Zafar over the death of his father.

“My condolences to my friend and lawyer Senator Ali Zafar, and his family on the death of his father Dr S M Zafar, the outstanding constitutionalist, author, and brilliant advocate,” he said on X.

“When I finished reading his book ‘Democracy and Islam in History’ that he had graciously sent to me I had recently sent a message to him on his excellent treatise,” he added.

Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi was also grieved over the demise of SM Zafar, Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

In a statement, the minister prayed for the departed soul.

He said that SM Zafar had won multiple national and international cases. “The services of the deceased will always be remembered,” he added.