LAHORE - Senior lawyer SM Zafar bids goodbye to the profession of law after remaining in the field for about six decades.
He stopped accepting new cases in March last year, took off his robes a year later and made public his decision only a few days ago. Mr Zafar has written separate letters to the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and the Lahore High Court to explain the decision. In the letter addressed to the chief justice of Pakistan, Mr Zafar said: "I joined the profession of law in early fifties. The profession gave me whatever anybody could achieve and had the privilege of conducting many important cases. I have been actively pursuing the professional calls to the satisfaction of my clients, trusting me. But since March 2013, I stopped accepting any new case. Thereafter, I tried to finish my pending cases. I have generally succeeded but unfortunately having appeared in some cases for a number of times, these could not reach the stage of final arguments.  Since 23rd March 2014, I decided to take off my robes and not to appear in the honourable courts.  I have informed my clients whose cases are still pending to kindly contact me for engagement of a new counsel, or for settlement of the fees due to be returned to them. I take this opportunity with gratitude to inform this august court about my decision mentioned above."