KARACHI, Pakistan: The Sindh Governor Justice (retd) Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui passed away in Karachi on Wednesday, two months after he assumed the above post. He was 78 years old.
The Spokesman Sindh Governor House confirmed the news about Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui’s death.
Justice (retd) Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui was the 31st Sindh governor and he was taken to a private hospital earlier in the day after he suffered breathing problems.
His ‘Namaz-i-Janaza’ will be offered at Polo Ground/Governor House after the Friday prayers.
President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, former Sindh governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Sirajul Haq and other political leaders expressed grief and deep sorrow over the sad demise of Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui.
In a statement, the prime minister said that the services of Justice (retd) Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui in the field of judiciary and upholding rule of law would be remembered.
The prime minister said that Justice (retd) Saeed-uz-Zaman was an upright and honest Judge who never compromised on his principles and remained impartial in delivery of justice.
Moreover, he said that Justice Siddiqui’s contributions regarding resisting and giving sacrifices against un-democratic elements were unparalleled. He prayed for the departed soul and expressed sympathy with the bereaved family of Justice (retd) Saeed-uz-Zaman.
Meanwhile, the Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durrani has been appointed acting governor of Sindh. He will serve as acting Sindh governor till new governor takes oath.
Justice (retd) Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui took oath as the Sindh governor on November 11 last year after Dr Ishratul Ibad’s almost 14-year tenure ended.
Justice Siddiqui had served as Chief Justice of Pakistan from July 1999 to January 2000. He had defied taking fresh oath under Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) after imposition of martial law in 1999. As a consequence, he was forced to step down from his position by the then military regime.
Justice Siddiqui had also been the Chief Justice Sindh High Court (SHC) from November 5, 1990 to May 21, 1992.
