Prominent lawyer, philosopher Raza Kazim passes away at 96

LAHORE: Raza Kazim, a distinguished lawyer, philosopher and founder of the Sanjan Nagar Institute of Philosophy and Arts, passed away on Thursday at the age of 96.

Born on January 13, 1930, in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, Kazim remained an influential figure across multiple domains, including law, philosophy, politics and the arts.

He was initially associated with the Indian National Congress and later joined the Muslim League, contributing to the movement for an independent Pakistan. In the years following independence, he became part of the Pakistan Communist Party and served as general secretary of the Pakistan Trade Union Federation, as well as president of the Democratic Students Federation.

Kazim withdrew from active politics in 1951 due to ideological differences and entered the legal profession in 1953, where he earned recognition as a respected jurist.

Throughout his life, he remained a vocal critic of authoritarian rule and was imprisoned during the regimes of General Ayub Khan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and General Ziaul Haq on charges he maintained were politically motivated.

His most enduring contribution came through the establishment of the Sanjan Nagar Institute of Philosophy and Arts, which became a unique platform for intellectual discourse and artistic exploration.

In addition to his philosophical work, Kazim also invented the ‘Sagar Veena’, a plucked string instrument, reflecting his deep engagement with music and creative expression.

Members of the legal fraternity and intellectual circles expressed grief over his passing, describing him as a rare mind who bridged law, philosophy and the arts.

Raza Kazim was the elder brother of senior journalist Nasim Zahra and uncle of actor and television host Jugan Kazim. He was laid to rest in a local graveyard.