KARACHI: Retired Supreme Court Justice Maqbool Baqar has expressed his desire to resolve public issues as he prepares to take oath as caretaker chief minister of Sindh tomorrow (Wednesday, August 16).
Baqar was chosen for the top post after three rounds of talks between outgoing Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and opposition leader Rana Ansar in the dissolved Sindh Assembly — with his three-day deadline to expire. A few hours ago.
Both the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) said they had reached a consensus and had no objection to the nomination.
Soon after the names of the two were agreed upon, a summary was sent to Sindh Governor Kamran Tesuri, who approved their appointment without any hindrance.
After that, Governor Sindh Tesori told JEE News that his swearing-in ceremony will be held on August 16.
As soon as the news of Justice (R) Baqar’s election came out, the former judge of the Supreme Court expressed his determination to play his role for the supremacy of law and constitution.
Talking to JEE News, Baqar said that holding the elections is the responsibility of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), he will help the Election Commission.
He said that he will try hard to conduct the upcoming general elections in accordance with the law and the constitution.
He said that it was a very important responsibility in such a difficult situation, adding that he would try to solve the problems of the people.
Justice (R) Baqar – A Brief Profile
Justice (retd) Baqar last served as a senior judge in the Supreme Court of Pakistan on 17 February 2015 after being promoted from the post of Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court. Justice (Rtd) Baqir retired from the Supreme Court in April 2022.
He praised his works as an excellent and courageous jurist, especially after he was targeted by a terrorist organization due to his judicial decisions against terrorists.
Justice (r) Baqar was also known for criticizing the judiciary. After his retirement in April 2022, he once publicly pointed out serious flaws in the country’s judiciary.
Born on April 5, 1957, the senior judge of the Supreme Court began his legal career by enrolling as an advocate in May 1981 after completing his LLB from Karachi University. He was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Sindh High Court (SHC) on 26 August 2002, and was confirmed as a Judge of the SHC the following year.
While he was serving in the Sindh High Court, Justice Baqar’s verdicts in terrorism cases infuriated terrorist organizations, after which he was targeted by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi terrorists in a bomb blast in Karachi on 26 June 2013. Made. He was injured in the attack along with law enforcement officials. But the judge returned to work after months of reconstructive surgery.
One of his notable judgments came in the Baldia factory fire case which resulted in the highest compensation to the victims of the fire incident.
Justice (R) Baqar highlighted the shortcomings of the judiciary on several occasions.
Even in his speech in his farewell reference to the Supreme Court, he admitted: “I believe that despite our efforts, we fall short of expectations. Delays and adjournments are still high in all courts of the country. At the highest level, the reality must be disturbing to all stakeholders.
After retirement, he called out corruption in the judiciary. While participating in a session at the Karachi Literature Festival in February this year, Justice (retd) Baqar said that corruption was prevalent in the judiciary and the appointment of judges was not always based on merit as it involved nepotism, favoritism and sacrifice of merit. .
He remarked that the judges who indulged in unethical activities tended to please people of power and authority and never confronted or resented them and if any complaint was registered against them, it was swept under the carpet. Thrown away.
