Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, son of Allama Iqbal, passes away in Lahore

E-Paper | March 05, 2026

LAHORE: Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, son of renowned poet-philosopher Allama Iqbal, passed away at the age of 91 here on Saturday, Pakistan Television reported.

The former justice was under treatment for cancer at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital in Lahore.

Waleed Iqbal, son of Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, confirmed the death of his father saying that he passed away at around 8am this morning.

His funeral prayers will be offered at 4pm today in Gulberg area.

Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal served as a senior justice at the Supreme Court of Pakistan and previously as the chief justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC).

He is survived by his two sons Waleed and Munib Iqbal and wife Justice (retd) Nasira Iqbal — a former LHC judge.

Profile: Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal

Javed Iqbal was born in October, 1924 in Sialkot, Punjab province, British India.

He obtained a BA (honours) degree from Government College Lahore in 1944, a masters degree in English and philosophy in 1948, and a PhD degree in philosophy from the University of Cambridge in 1954 at the age of 30. He then pursued his passion for law, graduating as a barrister in London.

The former justice participated thrice as a member of the Pakistani delegation at the United Nations.

He served as chief justice of LHC from March 1982 till October 1986 and remained a senior judge of the Supreme Court. He also served as an elected member of the Senate.

Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal penned several books on the ideology of Pakistan.

Condolences pour in

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister House.

The premier prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul and commiserated with the bereaved family.

The death of Javed Iqbal — who rendered great legal and literary services for the country — is a huge loss to the state of Pakistan, the statement quoted Nawaz as saying.

"We lost an intellectual, a great jurist and a true Pakistani," he said.

President Mamnoon Hussain also condoled the death of Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan lamented the death of Javed Iqbal on Twitter.

—With additional reporting by Irfan Haider

Pakistan

Imran Gabol is a Lahore-based reporter for Dawn with over a decade of experience in journalism. He covers politics, climate change, human rights, education, and metropolitan affairs. He can be found on X at @gabolizm.

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afridi fan

Oct 03, 2015 10:17am

INNALLILLAH-E-WAINNA-ILEHRAJIOUN....WE LOST ANOTHER BIG ASSET!

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Muhammad Usama Ahmad

Oct 03, 2015 10:19am

RIP !

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Ahmed USA

Oct 03, 2015 10:19am

Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un

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Semab

Oct 03, 2015 10:20am

Rest In Peace - inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un

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Agha

Oct 03, 2015 10:20am

May his soul rest in peace.

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Vap

Oct 03, 2015 10:20am

RIP Sir.

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Be humble

Oct 03, 2015 10:22am

INNWIARAJOON.May you find best place in Haven.I will never forget my one and only meeting with you,and how it transpired my thinking about life and how it inducted love and compassion in my otherwise rough and egoistic being.Prayers

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Patriot

Oct 03, 2015 10:22am

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. It is a sad news

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Dr.Ijaz Ahmad

Oct 03, 2015 10:22am

May God bless him.

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Asim Iqbal

Oct 03, 2015 10:25am

very saddened by the news. He was son of my favorite personality. RIP great man!

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Semab

Oct 03, 2015 10:26am

Rest in Peace - inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un

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jfmunir

Oct 03, 2015 10:32am

Javed Iqbal was agreat man. Although some of his thoughts were controversial but overall his services to nation were great. He was a wonderful writer and a beautiful human. May God Almighty grant him place in Jannah.

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abdurehman adan

Oct 03, 2015 10:33am

Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioon...

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Abbas Ali

Oct 03, 2015 10:35am

RIP. Another chapter closed. He always potrayed the true Iqbal, and prevented him to become a supernatural creature.

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Abbas Ali

Oct 03, 2015 10:36am

RIP. Another chapter closed. He always potrayed the true Iqbal, and prevented him to become a supernatural creature.

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Khaled

Oct 03, 2015 10:45am

end of another era.

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Arshad Wani

Oct 03, 2015 10:47am

Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raaji'oon

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hussain684

Oct 03, 2015 10:47am

Sad. RIP. Son of our national poet

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Abdul malik

Oct 03, 2015 10:48am

He did not encash his father,s personality. Although he was looked in that mirror. A fine person gone from the world stage having a vibrant life.

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Syed

Oct 03, 2015 10:51am

Legacy of Allama Iqbal still haunts the millions of people across the sub-continent. Who can forget his father's famous poem "Saare Jahan Se Acha Ea Hindustan Hamara". I pray for his Magfirath. May his soul rest in peace.

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Baba

Oct 03, 2015 10:53am

In a Lillian wa inna Lillah he raja hon. Rest in peace.

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Salman

Oct 03, 2015 11:01am

Rest in peace. Big loss for Pakistan. Will miss you Sir

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Muhammad Nadeem tariq

Oct 03, 2015 11:03am

i am feeling very grief because he was a man of parts .very sad news. ina lila he wa in hy alayhe rajayonn.

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Adv Waqas

Oct 03, 2015 11:03am

Rest in Peace Sir

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M Nadeem tariq

Oct 03, 2015 11:09am

i am feeling very grieve because he was a man of letters ,very very sad news.ina lila he wa in he alahay rajayon.

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Arshad

Oct 03, 2015 11:18am

May the departed soul rest in eternal peace!!!

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anwar khan

Oct 03, 2015 11:22am

Inna lillahi wa inna ilahi raji oon... May his soul rest in peace... Ameen

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Naxalite

Oct 03, 2015 11:22am

RIP Sir.

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Sal

Oct 03, 2015 11:25am

Mr. Javed, I grew up reading your father's poem and literature. You were the son of great poet and philosopher. We did not accomplish what your father dreamed but we are trying. You made every Pakistani proud serving our country as a chief justic. Thank you and rest in peace.

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Max's Axes

Oct 03, 2015 11:32am

"It is only by rising to a fresh vision of his origin and future, his whence and whither, that man will eventually triumph over a society motivated by an inhuman competition, and a civilization which has lost its spiritual unity by its inner conflict of religious and political values”. Iqbal-Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam", p. 149

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Hope

Oct 03, 2015 11:43am

R I P A great man son of the Greatest philosopher ever Iqbal.

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Bravo

Oct 03, 2015 11:47am

Does he have any concrete services to bring Pakistan on track as Allama Iqbal dreamed for?? RIP

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Dr. Liaqat

Oct 03, 2015 11:52am

Inna Lillah e wa inna ilayhi Rajioon. Truly the end of an era. A great man and a true Pakistani. We shall miss you, sir.Rest in eternal peace

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Muhammad

Oct 03, 2015 11:57am

RIP Sir

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lateef 3.10.15 12:30

Oct 03, 2015 12:08pm

YOUR COMMENT Inna-Lillaahi-wa-Inna-Illaihi-Raajioum may his sole rest in peace

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Khurram

Oct 03, 2015 12:12pm

INNALLILLAH-E-WAINNA-ILEHRAJIOUN

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m singh

Oct 03, 2015 12:15pm

Inna lilla e wainna illai he rajauun....may his soul rest in peace.....

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Sohail

Oct 03, 2015 12:24pm

May his soul rest in peace.

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Iqbal Hadi Zaidi

Oct 03, 2015 12:31pm

Condole I should death but how I do not know Of course everybody dies who does not know None is exempted from the rule all must know Died my teacher Dr Javed that I came to know Of course Law is taught in 1966 all must know Let me declare all found him jewel if you know Exited he now to permanent abode as we know Not many go to paradise alike him I must know Classical paradise seat is given to him I do know Exemplum he was here & now there too I know ***************************** Iqbal Hadi Zaidi/Kuwait/ zaidi.x.diplomat@hotmail.com

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Muhammad Iqbal

Oct 03, 2015 12:31pm

Our dirty leaders failed to use this diamond. They wanted yes masters as judges and Allama Iqbal's son was not of any use to them.

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munir Ahmad

Oct 03, 2015 12:36pm

Rest in peace, dear Dr. Sb, rest in peace! You were the son of a great man and were yourself great, too.

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SAQIB MAHMOOD

Oct 03, 2015 12:36pm

May his soul rest in peace Aameen.

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alina

Oct 03, 2015 12:43pm

Aoa. Does anybody know the exact location in Gulberg?!!! My parents are a huge fan and I would really appreciate it. Please help :(

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Hassan

Oct 03, 2015 12:57pm

May his soul rest in peace

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mazhar

Oct 03, 2015 01:07pm

In nah lillahe wa inna ilahe rajeoun

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RAK

Oct 03, 2015 01:25pm

Like father, like son. Both were genius in their own field of interest. His autobiography is a great piece of reading. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Amen

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Amer RAO

Oct 03, 2015 01:38pm

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un

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Mobile Center

Oct 03, 2015 01:50pm

Ina lillah wa ina ilahi rajoon

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M azeem

Oct 03, 2015 02:11pm

Inna lillahi wa inna illaihi rajihuon

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Kashif Alvi

Oct 03, 2015 02:32pm

May his soul rest in peace , a great loss indeed..!

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Riz

Oct 03, 2015 02:44pm

RIP

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Adeel

Oct 03, 2015 02:46pm

RIP

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Sajid Alvi

Oct 03, 2015 02:54pm

INNALLILLAH-E-WAINNA-ILEHRAJIOUN He was a great man in real. He always live in my heart & prays whenever I'll alive. I never ever can forget him by his gigantic kindness on myself.

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YAHYA

Oct 03, 2015 03:04pm

Rest in peace. Pakistan lost another sensible spirit.

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YAHYA

Oct 03, 2015 03:05pm

Rest in peace. Pakistan lost another sensible spirit.

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Hindutavi Rakshas

Oct 03, 2015 03:16pm

RIP sir. Deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.

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Ibrar

Oct 03, 2015 03:17pm

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

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Oct 03, 2015 03:22pm

RIP Sir. You were a legend in your time as well ...

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SHAHID MAHMOOD

Oct 03, 2015 03:24pm

Rest in Peace.

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Raja Hindustani

Oct 03, 2015 03:33pm

RIP. Iqbal was a great poet of this continent. We Indians still sing his song"saare jahan se achcha hindostan hamara" which is next to our national anthem. Iqbal grandparent was Kashmiri pandit.

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Zubaida khan

Oct 03, 2015 03:49pm

Dear Country, I am profoundly sorry for your loss. Zubaida.

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saleem

Oct 03, 2015 03:52pm

son of a great personality like Allama Iqbal.May his soul rest in peace. allama iqbal is the only person in subcontinent who is loved by both indians & pakistanis.

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Imtiaz Piracha

Oct 03, 2015 03:59pm

One of few public figures in Pakistan I felt honoured to shake hands with. Especially, after reading his Gareeban Chaak, I realized that while being Allama Iqbal’s son made him famous, ironically it also, in some way, took away his rightful recognition as a distinguished scholar and a great intellectual in his own right. I guess that is a tragedy of many born to historical personalities.

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Kazim Reza

Oct 03, 2015 04:27pm

The great jurist and scholar many years back visited Bangladesh.He was an unassuming personality.

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Rizwan

Oct 03, 2015 04:34pm

Like father, like son. RIP. What a great loss for us all. He really a son of great dr. Iqbal and serve muslim nation through his wisdom and writings. Whole nation is grieved today. Dr. Iqbal must be proud of his son in the heaven. May Dr. Jawed two sons too follow their father footstep in their life.

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Naveed Altaf khan

Oct 03, 2015 04:39pm

inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un His writtings on Islam philosophy and law will keep him alive all along.

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IiIlyas Khan

Oct 03, 2015 04:52pm

A beautiful life lived in full public gaze and adoration..........A true son of Pakistan. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

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kanwarch

Oct 03, 2015 04:56pm

RIP. It is very difficult to find your place if you are a son of a great man like Iqbal but I am sure Iqbal would have felt pride in the way his son Javed conducted himself and served his country and Islam. May God bless this gentle soul.

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Qamer

Oct 03, 2015 05:03pm

Great person, will be missed.

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aamir

Oct 03, 2015 05:32pm

Its indeed a great loss. Innalillah-e-Wainna ilehrajeoon. Verily ever one has to return back to his creator

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Razadynamic

Oct 03, 2015 05:40pm

The great personality Allama Muhammad Iqbal the great poet of Pakistan Nation Javed pass away the beautiful sign of Iqbal's

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M. Asghar

Oct 03, 2015 05:40pm

Dr. javed Iqbal's passing away is sad and questions us as to how many Pakistanis can read and appreciate his father Iqbal's poetice work like Javed Nameh which is in Persian!

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khalid

Oct 03, 2015 07:00pm

Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioon

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ayub

Oct 03, 2015 07:03pm

May God bless his soul and grant fortitude to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss. Ameen

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wshaikh

Oct 03, 2015 07:08pm

INNALLILLAH-E-WAINNA-ILEHRAJIOUN, a great son of a great father. May God Bless his soul in eternal peace.

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M. Siddique

Oct 03, 2015 07:20pm

I had the honor of meeting Dr. Javed Iqbal at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT where I was studying and he was visiting the campus. It was the time when in 1977 there was civil agitation against Bhutto. I used to edit a newsletter for the Pakistani students and wanted his opinion on the political situation. But he politely refused to comment as he was a judge. Such a high character.

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NASR

Oct 03, 2015 08:19pm

"Innallilah- e -Wa Inna - Ilaieherajeoon" one of the most versatile son of Pakistan passes. A perfect gentleman, great justice and a great writer of almost a dozen books. Best read "Zindah Rood " Apna Graiban Chaak"

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Muzaffar Ali

Oct 03, 2015 08:30pm

Great man, great judge, great intellectual....May his soul rest in peace. His raison d'etre was Justice and Compassion!

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Zubair

Oct 03, 2015 08:33pm

Inna Lillahae wainna ilahae rajeoon.

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gerry dcunha

Oct 03, 2015 08:34pm

Son of a great philosopher RIP

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Syed Ahmed, Canada

Oct 03, 2015 09:04pm

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.

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Zia-Ur-Rehman

Oct 03, 2015 09:12pm

He was a great Judge & great intellectual, Once I heard him in Sir Syed Academy, Islamabad. May his soul be in reset & peace. Inna Lillah e Wa Inna elehe raajeoon.

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Dr. Siddiqui

Oct 03, 2015 09:41pm

He was a great scholar; Allama Iqbal penned his famous poem Javed kay Naama for his son! Diyar-e-Ishq Mein Apna Maqam Paida Kar Naya Zamana, Naye Subah-o-Sham Paida Kar Build in love’s empire your hearth and your home; Build Time anew, a new dawn, a new eve! Khuda Agar Dil-e-Fitrat Shanas De Tujh Ko Sakoot-e-Lala-o-Gul Se Kalaam Paida Kar Your speech, if God give you the friendship of Nature, From the rose and tulip’s long silence weave. Utha Na Sheesha Garan-e-Farang Ke Ehsan Sifal-e-Hind Se Meena-o-Jaam Paida Kar No gifts of the Franks’ clever glass‐bowers ask! From India’s own clay mould your cup and your flask. Main Shakh-e-Taak Hun, Meri Ghazal Hai Mera Samar Mere Samar Se Mai-e-Lala Faam Paida Kar My songs are the grapes on the spray of my vine; Distil from their clusters the poppy‐red wine! Mera Tareeq Ameeri Nahin, Faqeeri Hai Khudi Na Baich, Ghareebi Mein Naam Paida Kar! The way of the hermit, not fortune, is mine; Sell not your soul! In a beggar’s rags shine.

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Razi

Oct 03, 2015 11:29pm

Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioun. He was a good man!! May his soul rest in eternal peace. Aameen.

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uzair khan

Oct 03, 2015 11:55pm

@Zubaida khan its ok plz pray for him / May be Rest in peace with his father

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Iqbal Hadi Zaidi

Oct 04, 2015 01:42am

I have read all 81 messages posted till now and I wonder how and why none of his student commented. Very fortunately I am taught Law by him at Punjab University Law College, Lahore in 1966 and of course he taught my class and not just me so it is a moral obligation on part of my class fellows and others whom he taught to pay due homage to our most learned teacher. I simply cannot help writing that he agreed to my request to be a trainee lawyer in his chamber but I could not buy motorcycle and did not feel comfortable to cycle or ride bus wearing black coat and tie.Rickshaw I coulnt afford. It is his true greatness that he despite his many commitments he did spare few minutes for me as well when he visited Kuwait in 1988 or 89. None but son of Pakistan Thinker Sir Dr Allama Iqbal has died. I am waiting to read as to how many our VIPs attended his funeral unless we prove to be a thankless nation ignoring such a great personality. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi/Kuwait/zaidi.x.diplomat@hotmail.com

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Mubeen

Oct 04, 2015 05:09am

inna lillah e wa inna alih e rajeoon.May his soul rest in peace in heaven.His sad demise is a huge loss for Muslim community all over the world.

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Dr. Siddiqui

Oct 04, 2015 05:21am

Justice Javed Iqbal was a great scholar and an able jurist! Allama Iqbal Iqbal penned his famous poem "Javed Kay Naam" for the youth, addressing his son Javed: "Build in love’s empire your hearth and your home; Build Time anew, a new dawn, a new eve! Your speech, if God give you the friendship of Nature, From the rose and tulip’s long silence weave. No gifts of the Franks’ clever glass‐bowers ask! From India’s own clay mould your cup and your flask. My songs are the grapes on the spray of my vine; Distil from their clusters the poppy‐red wine! The way of the hermit, not fortune, is mine; Sell not your soul! In a beggar’s rags shine." indeed, what a great advice…from a great father to an illustrious son! Like the advice of the Hazrat Suleman to his son! The golden advice lives on forever….

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Azam Khan

Oct 04, 2015 06:08am

We, Pakistanis have lost a gem. This news brought tears to my eyes.INNALILAHI-WA-INNAILAIHI RAJIOUN.

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Noman Ahmed

Oct 04, 2015 01:00pm

Inna lillah-e-wa inna elehe rajaeon - Dr Javed Iqbal's writings must be re-visited. Many important accounts, messages and references can be derived from them, especially related to the ideology of Pakistani state. His book in Urdu, 'Apna Gareeban Chaak' is an excellent autobiography that touches upon important events and factors that contributed to the making of Pakistan.

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51drew

Oct 04, 2015 03:35pm

@Azam Khan a secret one.

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Nomi

Oct 05, 2015 02:22am

@Raja Hindustani Iqbal's grandfather was not a Pandit. Iqbal's ancestors were however Saprus. The oldest ancestor of Iqbal known is Loli Haji who was a Muslim buried at Chrar-e-Sharief in Kashmir Valley. Infact marhoom Javed Iqbal mentions this in Zinda Rood , a biography on Allama Iqbal referencing Mirza Muhammad Fouk personal correspondence with Iqbal. Mirza Muhammad Fouk's book "Tareekh Aqwaam e Kashmir" chronicles all major castes of Kashmir. It is still printed by Ali Mohammad publishers of Lal Chowk.

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Hari Har

Oct 05, 2015 03:49am

We condole passing away of Justice (R) Javed Iqbal and join his near and dear ones in prayer for peace to his great soul.

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hassan

Oct 05, 2015 01:22pm

Great Human Being, May his soul rest in peace.....

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