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Sindh governor Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui passed away in Karachi on Wednesday according to the governor house spokesman.
Siddiqui had been hospitalised earlier today, DawnNews reported.
Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani will serve as acting governor of Sindh until a governor is appointed.
Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali expressed grief and sorrow over the said demise of the Sindh governor. He also announced that the provincial government will observe one-day mourning on Thursday.
He directed provincial chief secretary Rizwan Memon to coordinate with the family of the late governor and his principal secretary for making official arrangements for his burial.
The funeral prayers of Siddiqui will be held on Jan 13, after Friday prayers, at Polo Ground and he will be buried at Gizri graveyard, said Governor House spokesperson.
The retired justice was sworn in as the 31st Governor of Sindh in November 2016, just days after the federal government decided to end the 14-year tenure of former Sindh governor Ishratul Ibad.
Siddiqui, 78, suffered poor health and had been hospitalised soon after his appointment due to a chest infection and breathing problems. He was discharged from the hospital over a month later after an improvement in health.
Born in Lucknow on Dec 1, 1938, Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui’s family migrated to then East Pakistan.
He acquired his early education from Dhaka and then moved to Karachi, then capital of Pakistan.
He received admission at Karachi University from where he graduated and then studied law. He enrolled as an advocate of the high court and then the apex court in 1963 and 1968, respectively.
He contested bar elections and held various positions until he was appointed a judge of the Sindh High Court in May 1980.
Ten years later, he was appointed chief justice of the Sindh High Court and in May 1992 elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court. His tenure as the 15th chief justice of Pakistan began on July 1, 1999, and ended on Jan 26, 2000.
Siddiqui was also among aspiring candidates for the post of president in 2003 and 2008.
Siddiqui's contributions lauded
Retired Justice Shaiq Usmani, while speaking to DawnNews, said Saeed-uz-Zaman's landmark judgements, especially in the area of civil law, will be remembered.
"He was very sharp, very competent," Usmani said. "His loss will be felt deeply."
Former attorney general Pakistan Munir A. Malik called Siddiqui "a judge par excellence" and "an outstanding chief justice".
"He was a very simple person, very humble... even after his appointment to such a high post," he said, adding that Siddiqui was a good friend of his.
Advocate Akram Shaikh remembered Siddiqui as an exemplary human being without equal. "He was a very good man, a very good judge and a very good chief justice."
Comments (65) Closed
May his soul rest in peace! Amin.
In Na Lillah Wa In Na Illahi Rajayoon
RIP...
Such a experienced governor...
Inna-Lil-A-He-Wa-Inna-Elehe-Rajioon. The way he stood up to the dictatorship of 1999 without caring that he lost his job in the process as well was indeed courageous. He was not just another ex-Chief Justice. He proved himself as a role model for jurists to follow. Rest in peace sir. May there be more of your tribe. Ameen.
RIP.
In Na Lillah Wa In Na Illahi Rajayoon,
Who will be the next governor now???
May his soul rest in peace. We lost another gem.
RIP.
RIP
May his soul rest in peace and his family get the patience to cope with the loss.
This is a great loss for Pakistan. We lost a great man, man of principles who did not bow to a dictator,s wishes. His house arrest by Musharrafor did not deter him from his stand for the sake of democracy and rule of law. He fought for what he believed in and never joined any political party after retirement or asked for any favors from any party. His chief justice position was short lived because of imposition of Martial law. He never complained of his teatment by the lawyers community for not recognizing his sacrifices to the nation. May God bless the departed soul .
RIP , GOVERNOR !
@pakistan zindabad yes he'd a experience of one month.
RIP Siddiqui Sahib.
RIP sir!!
Please give chance to Ex judge Mr Ghous Ali shah as governor of Sindh.
Really He was a Good Judge, Every judgement of is Court goes on merit. He served Pakistan with honesty. "Salam to great man"
RIP
inna lillahe wa inna elihe rajoon
The gentle was already sick when he took oath for governor. May be the stress got to him. Absolutely senseless decision by the PML-N government. Rest in peace Sir. You had a good reputation. People will remember you in good words.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.
Rip. Unfortunately the noble man left this world but it will be difficult for NS to find another 80 plus for next governor.
Another gem of a person departed. May his his gentle soul rest in perfect peace and his family bears the irreplaceable loss with courage and submission to the will of God.
@Karachi Wala - Another Nawaz crony will be made one!
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan - Agree, it was definitely a "senseless decision"!
In Na Lillah Wa In Na Illahi Rajayoon
May his soul rest in eternal peace. I am just wondering whether he reported to his office during his governorship?
He will be always remebered as a saviour. Karachi lost his loving son.
Rip to governor sindh
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
@karachi wala They will find another LAME DUCK
May his soul rest in peace..
May his soul rest in peace.
Ina Lillah w Ina Ileh Rajeoon
@karachi wala
PML(N) criteria is 75 plus person with multiple health issues so he can focus on his health rather the Govt
Meritorious is gone. May he rests in peace, aameen. Iqbal Hadi Zaidi, Kuwait / zaidi4merdiplomat@hotmaill.com
Rip..
Why was Mr. Siddiqui appointed sindh governor when he was on death bed. More importantly why did he accept.
RIP
A man of principles
Justice Saeed uz Zaman was a real gentleman who had a distinguished career as he always upheld the rule of law. He had retired and was leading a relaxed and enjoyable life, but was thrust as the Sindh Governor. The stress of sleazy politics with all the wheeling and dealing was too much for him. Everyone mourns his passing away. May his soul rest in peace. Ameen.
May his soul rest in peace Ameen, but my question is why he accepted this position at first place?
Rest in peace.....
In Na Lillah Wa In Na Illahi Rajayoon
Can some one please tell me why we have a Chief Minister and a Governor for every state in the country? How does a governor serve the people?
In Na Lillah Wa In Na Illahi Rajayoon.
Nawaz installed him as a place holder. Very sad. We need true representative of Karachi who can bring change.
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan . Some illnesses are due to an old age like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes but people function properly on their job and live normal life in these situations. They have to make certain changes in their life style like proper diet, exercise and medications.There are medications to control the BP, Diabetes and cholesterol but don't cure the diseases. These people have lot of experience in their field and they have a sharp memory. Your argument that we should not appoint these people for any position if they are sick does not hold water and is contrary to our values. Our country is better off today because of these people who spent their entire life in civil service. We have a lot to learn from them if you are willing. May God bless his soul.
In Na Lillah Wa In Na Illahi Rajayoon
He was an excellent jurist.
r.i.p dear departed soul, even though I don't agree with PPP/PMLN looters.
May his soul rest in peace. Ameen. He was already sick while taking oath of the Governor. The burden of feelings and pains of not delivering official obligations of the new Job may have further aggravated his sickness. May God give solace to his family members, friends and well wishers. Ameen.
In Na Lillah Wa In Na Illahi Rajayoon
Inna Lillaahi Wa Inna Ilaiyhi Raaji'oon
@Syed Ali - Mr Mumtaz Bhutto should be given a chance as Governor of Sindh.
Appointment of an Ailing Retired Justice was a smoke screen.
Only time will tell, what was accomplished by "Wifaq", behind this so meticulously choreographed smoke screen. Could it be for something good and for the benefit of "the people"? Hardly! One can safely bet, it was for the benefit of just "some people”.
If we gaze hard, behind this smoke screen, we may notice somebody was made to scape; somebody and some treasures disappeared, somebody was appointed and somebody arrived, again! Kind of spooky!
These are the simple joys of a feudal-democracy! It is where life and the death, even of the most revered, honest, scholarly, patriotic people are worth nothing more than mere consumable items.
Justice Saeed-uz-zaman, you served the country and her people well.
Rest in Peace, your honor!
Great loss for Pakistan
RIP.. He was a good man, God bless his soul.
@sukhera
there is a time and age for every thing. He can act as an advisor but taking office is just insane....
@Shah (Berlin) .Mr Siddiqui died at the age of 78. President Regan was sworn in as president of US at the age of 70 and he served the country for 8 years. He was the best president the country ever had and his economic policies set the country to unprecedented growth. The honorable judge died because of lung infection which can be treated with antibiotics. People are living longer and productive lives now because of medical advances to treat illnesses. We can,t discriminate in hiring for jobs because of age, religion or race. If the person is qualified and willing to work, give him a chance. Your arbitarary age limit for govt job is a pure discrimination. So what is the age limit you have in mind for a govt office.
In Na Lillah Wa In Na Illahi Rajayoon! He will be reMay his soul rest in peace! Amin. membered as a Man of Principles and Man of Integrity.
Humble,honest and dedicated person. RIP
Next gov may b mushahidullah khan
@Shah (Berlin). Almost every country in the West has discrimination laws including Germany. In USA federal law prohibits employers from discriminating against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color of the skin, religion, sex, and national origin. Men and women are paid at the same rate for doing same kind of work.American people elected the first black person eight years ago for the highest office in the country where majority of the citizens are white. Mr. Obama's father, a Muslim was an immigrant from Kenya. He ran for the highest office as a candidate of the Democratic Party because he was the most qualified, so was retired Justice Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui. We should be thankful to God that he lived among us for 78 years and fought for our rights without any reward, compensation or fame.He never asked for any office after retirement but when asked to serve the country,he did not refuse.These are the kind of selfless people we need to guide us and to be our leaders.
In Na Lillah Wa In Na Illahi Rajayoon. I remember him for his principled stand against dictatorship. One of the very few honest person in Pakistan!