LAHORE: (May 05): Punjab University arranged a condolence reference for former chief justice Lahore High Court and first ombudsman of Pakistan, Sardar Muhammad Iqbal and rich tributes were paid to him for his 38-year services as PU teacher, member syndicate and selection board.

On the occasion a resolution was passed in which it was declared that Punjab University has lost a big asset and now the university teachers and deans should work hard on the positive and progressive lines and principles established by Justice (r) Sardar Iqbal to make PU Asia’s best university. Condolence reference was arranged at Institute of Bio-chemistry and Bio-technology and was attended by Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Azhar Ikram Ahmad, Registrar Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan, Prof Dr Najma Najam, Prof Dr Jamil Anwar Ch. Prof Dr Shahida Hussnain, Deans of faculties and heads of different departments were present.

Speaking on the occasion, Acting VC Prof Azhar Ikram said that he had 10-year association with Sardar Iqbal and he was present along with him in all the syndicate meeting of the varsity. VC said that late justice used to resolve all the problems through his intellectuality and whenever the was a disagreement on a certain issue every member of the committee focused on his point of view the get that issue resolved. He said that Sardar Iqbal always said that PU is the best university of Pakistan and it has a lot of potential. He said the deceased got his education from this varsity and then served it as a teacher, member of syndicate & selection board and he also served as a visiting faculty of Law College for a long period.

Registrar Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan said that PU VC Dr Mujahid Kamran, who is in Washington to attend a conference, has sent his telephonic condolence message on the sad demise of Sardar Iqbal. Dr Khan said that a special reference will be held on his arrival in which all the former VCs of PU, eminent judges and lawyers will be invited. He suggested that all the teachers of Punjab University who have some association with the deceased should contribute to develop an autobiography of Sardar Iqbal so that the young generation could benefits from his practical life.

Prof Dr Najma Najam said that the late Sardar Iqbal was always there to solve the problem of the varsity as a father and university actually lost its kind-hearted father. She said that during her recent visit to The Hague Justice Ali Nawaz Chohan in International Court for Justice lauded the services of Sardar Iqbal and appreciated the guidance of the late in different judiciary matters. Prof Dr Arif Butt said that we should follow the footsteps of Sardar Iqbal to strengthen the varsity and the professor VC. He suggested that University Law College’s library be named as Sardar Iqbal Memorial Library and a chair should also be established in the college.

Education University VC Prof Dr Munawar Mirza said that Justice Sardar was not merely a person nor an institution but several institutions were within his personality because every institution and department where he served feel honour today. She said that he was a great lawyer, judge and ombudsman. “He was like a pillar in every statutory body of the university”, she said and added that Sardar Iqbal was also running a welfare organization which produced many doctors and where free eye treatment is being provided to countless patients. Prof Mumtaz Ahmad Salik said that sardar has not died but he has ben transferred from this mortal world to that immortal world. He said that Sardar’s services for PU can never be forgotten. Prof Iftikhar Baloch and Prof Dr Nayyar Raza Zaidi said that the sad demise of Sardar Iqbal has produced such a big gap in the Punjab University which could not be filled. Prof Dr Khawaja Harris Rashid said that he was a great asset of the varsity.