S. M. Zafar has been a legend and a landmark for generations of Pakistani lawyers. After a meteoric rise at the bar, he was appointed as the Federal Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs in 1965 while still only 35 years old. Since then, he has served the bar and Pakistan with great distinction in a number of posts, including as Senator, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association and President of the Lahore High Court Bar Association.
Mr. Zafar is today no longer active in legal practice but he remains a formidable presence. His wit and wisdom have enlightened all of us who have been privileged to hear him speak. We are also fortunate that he has taken the time to set down his thoughts from time to time. His most recent venture, “Be a competent lawyer” is a concise distillation of the wisdom gleaned by him in the 63 years spent by him as a counsel. It should be read and appreciated by every young lawyer (and, given my experience on the bench, many older lawyers as well).
The lessons in Zafar Sahib’s latest book are timeless. So long as there is a legal profession, lawyers will find guidance in what he has to say. He explains how to prepare a case, how to present a case and how to research a case. He further explains the delicate art of cross-examination and how it must be pursued according to a carefully researched theory of the case.
Law is an unusual profession, particularly in the modern age, because of the degree to which experience confers an advantage. In his six decades plus of service at the bar, S. M. Zafar has seen, done and achieved all that a lawyer can in Pakistan. Those who wish to follow in his distinguished footsteps would do well to read this book and to learn from it. I am delighted to see that Mr. Zafar remains as much of a guiding light as he was back when I was privileged to be his student.
Justice Munir A Sheikh
Former Judge Supreme Court of Pakistan