PESHAWAR: An advocate of Supreme Court, Shahnawaz Khan, died here on Friday. He was 48.

The deceased, who was a journalist-turned lawyer, was suffering from cancer. He has left behind three children, a widow and mother.

His funeral was held here at Sardar Ahmad Jan Colony and he was laid to rest at a nearby graveyard.

A large number of people, including lawyers and journalists, attended his funeral.

Shahnawaz Khan had started his journalistic career from an Urdu daily as a court reporter. He subsequently joined English daily ‘The Frontier Post’ in late 90s following which he was appointed as correspondent in another daily, ‘The Nation’.

Later, he switched over to law and started practicing it in Peshawar. A few years ago he was enrolled as advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan.

He was well-versed in criminal law and remained associated with prominent lawyer Barrister Zahoorul Haq.

Late Shahnawaz Khan was considered an upright and competent lawyer known for following legal ethics while pleading his cases in courts.

Being a former journalist, he was always available for legal assistance to the journalist community and was known for pleading their cases pro bono.

Meanwhile, in a statement the Peshawar High Court’s former chief justice Dost Mohammad Khan, who retired as SC judge, expressed his profound grief over the demise of Shahnawaz.

He prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and provide courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss.

Provincial anti-harassment ombudsperson, Rukhshanda Naz, also condoled Shahnawaz’s death.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2021