Sheikh Rashid to resume legal practice

RAWALPINDI: Former interior minister and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has formally returned to the legal profession after securing restoration of his membership and law licence from the District Bar Association Rawalpindi.

According to the details, Rashid had applied to the Rawalpindi bar for reinstatement of his membership and permission to practice law again after a gap of 50 years. On Tuesday, District Bar Association Rawalpindi President Tariq Mahmood Sajid Awan and the bar’s executive body approved his request, making him a member of the bar once more.

Speaking on the occasion, Rashid said he planned to restart legal practice and indicated that he intended to remain away from bar politics. He said his focus would be on chamber practice and added that, after restoration of his membership, he would sit in the chamber of his lawyer, Sardar Raziq.

Rashid said he had left legal practice and bar membership half a century ago and described his return as a significant moment in his life. He thanked the bar leadership for granting him life membership and said he was happy to rejoin his mother bar in Rawalpindi.

With the restoration of his membership, Rashid is now a practicing lawyer of the Rawalpindi bar as well as the Rawalpindi bench of the Islamabad High Court. He said he wanted to work for the welfare of poor people, the improvement of the country and the supremacy of the Constitution.

Addressing lawyers after the approval of his request, Rashid said the day does not pass. He also said the word lawyer would now be written on his grave.

Umrah plea heard by ATC

Separately, Rashid also sought permission from an anti-terrorism court to travel for Umrah. Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Syed Amjad Ali Shah heard the application and later reserved the decision.

The ruling on the plea is expected on June 16.