KARACHI, Nov 27: Speakers at a memorial meeting paid rich tributes to late Maulana Shah Ahmad Noorani for his services to the cause of Islam and the key role he played in preparing and evolving a consensus on the 1973 constitution.

He devoted his whole life to the cause of independence of judiciary, supremacy of parliament, promotion of democracy and enforcement of Nizam-i-Mustafa in the country, they observed.

The memorial meeting was held under the auspices of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan (women wing) at the World Islamic Mission Women University Hall, Gulshan-i-Iqbal.

Speaker of the National Assembly Chaudhry Amir Hussain was the chief guest on the occasion where other speakers were Senator Prof Ghafoor Ahmad, Deputy chief of Jamaat-i-Islami, MNA Sahibzada Haji Fazal Karim, President of the Markazi Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Chief Justice (r) Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui, Nafees Ahmad Siddiqui, General Secretary PPP, Sindh chapter, Maulana Shah Mohammad Rabbani Siddiqui, younger brother of the late Maulana Noorani who had come from Madina Munawwara, Prof Mohammad Ahmad Siddiqui and Dr Fareeda Ahmad Siddiqui.

Chaudhry Amir Hussain said that Maulana Noorani had always strived for the wellbeing of Pakistan and its citizens. He said it was his political vision which played an important role in the formation of a government after crises in 1970, 1977 and 1985.

“Had he been alive today, he would have played a vigorous role in relief efforts for the quake victims,” he added.

The NA speaker said the opposition and the government had discharged their responsibilities in the hour of trial and tribulation but a bigger challenge still lied ahead and this was the rebuilding and rehabilitation in the quake-hit areas. He stressed on meeting this challenge through unity and cohesion.

Prof Ghafoor Ahmad, recalling Allama Noorani’s role in the preparation of the 1973 constitution, said that it was his political vision and farsightedness that had helped evolve a consensus that still existed. The constitution had been drafted in a situation where half part of Pakistan had already been lost and Pakistan People Party had emerged as majority party in the remaining part, he recalled. He, however, regretted that the objectives of Pakistan as mentioned in the constitution were yet to be achieved.

Chief Justice (r) Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui, tracing the political history of the country, referred to Maulana Noorani’s contribution in turning JUP into a political party having roots throughout the country.

Sahibzada Fazle Karim said that Maulana Noorani was a symbol of Pakistan’s federation who never surrendered before any dictator and never compromised on his principles.

He said Maulana Noorani wanted to see both factions of JUP unified but he could not live to see the day. “Rest assured, we will fulfil his wish soon,” he added.

Nafees Siddiqui said Pakistan today was on a crossroad and the nation was very much missing Maulana Noorani in this situation. He recalled the role of the late Noorani in taking the country out of every crisis, and in this context, referred to the formation of the Milli Yakjehti Council and the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal.