Syed Ali Zafar
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Syed Ali Zafar | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Senate of Pakistan | |
| Assumed office March 2021 | |
| President | Arif Alvi Asif Ali Zardari |
| Prime Minister | Imran Khan Shehbaz Sharif Anwaar ul Haq Kakar Shehbaz Sharif |
| Federal Minister for Law and Justice | |
| In office 5 June 2018 – 15 August 2018 | |
| President | Mamnoon Hussain |
| Prime Minister | Nasirul Mulk |
| Preceded by | Chaudhry Mehmood Bashir |
| Succeeded by | Farogh Naseem |
| President Supreme Court of Pakistan | |
| In office 2015–2016 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Political party | PTI (2019-present) |
| Parent |
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| Alma mater | London School of Economics |
| Profession | Barrister, advisor and consultant |
Syed Ali Zafar (Urdu: علی ظفر) is a Pakistani senator, barrister, and political analyst.[1] He has been serving as a member of the Senate of Pakistan since March 2021, representing Punjab as a member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which he joined in 2019.
He served as the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan from 2015 to 2016 and was appointed Federal Minister for Law and Justice in the caretaker cabinet of Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk from 5 June to 25 August 2018.
Zafar is a senior partner at the law firm Mandviwalla & Zafar and is recognized for his contributions to constitutional law, administrative law, and human rights in Pakistan. As of 2025, he serves as President of the Pakistan chapter of SAARC Law and Vice President of the Human Rights Society of Pakistan. He is also affiliated with international legal bodies such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), and has served as an arbitrator in various international cases.
Born in Lahore, he obtained his LL.B. degree from the London School of Economics in 1983 and was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1984. With a career spanning over three decades, Zafar has appeared before the Supreme Court of Pakistan and High Courts across the country in matters involving constitutional rights, commercial law, media freedom, and public interest litigation.
He is also a frequent columnist for The Express Tribune, where he writes on political, social, and legal issues.[2]
Politics
[edit]Zafar is a senator for the Province of Punjab representing the PTI for the 2021–26 term. He took the oath as senator on 12 March 2021 and cast his votes for the election of the new chairman and deputy chairman of the Senate.[3][4]
He was appointed as caretaker Minister of Law and Justice for the 2018 general election in the cabinet of caretaker Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk.[5]
He was elected President of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan in 2015, running as a candidate of the Independent group of Asma Jahangir.[citation needed]
His father, S.M. Zafar, was also involved in national politics and was associated with Imran Khan.[6]
Area of Practice
[edit]
Zafar has practiced law for over 31 years at the Supreme Court and the High Courts of Pakistan. He has worked in various branches of the Law, including administrative law, banking law, property law, mergers and acquisitions, alternative dispute resolution, and matters before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). He is a senior partner at the Mandvi Walla & Zafar law firm.[7]
Memberships
[edit]He is a member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA). He has served as an arbitrator in international arbitrations and is a Life Member of both the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan and the Lahore High Court Bar Association[8].[citation needed]
Zafar serves as a visiting professor and has delivered lectures at law colleges and universities, including the Pakistan College of Law (PCL).[9] His lectures have addressed digital rights, cybersecurity, and interfaith harmony.
In addition to academic engagements, Zafar has participated as a judge in moot court competitions. He served on the judging panel for the 4th Annual Pakistan College of Law National Moot Court Competition in 2017.[10][8]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "11 senators elected unopposed from Punjab". www.thenews.com.pk.
- ^ "Profile Of Barrister Syed Ali Zafar". www.urdupoint.com.
- ^ "All candidates elected unopposed to Senate from Punjab". ARY NEWS. 25 February 2021.
- ^ Mahmood, Amjad (26 February 2021). "All Senate candidates from Punjab elected unopposed". DAWN.COM.
- ^ Hassan, Aitzaz (28 May 2018). "Nasir-ul-Mulk Appointed as Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan".
- ^ "Barrister Syed Ali Zafar announces to join PTI". www.radio.gov.pk.
- ^ "Founding Partners". Mandviwalla & Zafar - Advocates.
- ^ a b "Profile Of Barrister Syed Ali Zafar". www.urdupoint.com.
- ^ "Study Circle – Pakistan College of Law". Retrieved 22 January 2025.
- ^ Ali, Amna Riaz (7 February 2017). "4th Annual PCL National Law Moot Court Competition 2017". Courting The Law. Retrieved 22 January 2025.