Muhammad Rafiq Tarar
Muhammad Rafiq Tarar | |
|---|---|
محمد رفیق تارڑ | |
Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court | |
| In office 6 March 1989 – 31 October 1991 | |
| Appointed by | Tikka Khan |
| Preceded by | Abdul Shakurul Salam |
| Succeeded by | Mian Mahboob Ahmad |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Muhammad Rafiq 2 November 1929 LLB) |
| Profession | Jurist |
| Cabinet | Sharif Cabinet |
Muhammad Rafiq Tarar (
Tarar was born in
Tarar assumed office in January 1998 with heavy criticism by opposition especially from former Prime Minister
Tarar resigned as President in 2001 in the wake of the 1999 Pakistani coup d'état.[6] He resisted and did not endorse the 12 October 1999 military coup. He was forced to step down by then Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf and ultimately succeeded by Musharraf through a referendum held in 2002.[7] Twenty months after seizing power in a coup, General Musharraf took the head of state's oath and became the fourth military ruler to become president.[8]
Early life and education
Muhammad Rafiq Tarar was born in
Judicial and political career
Tarar started a career as a lawyer, soon after completion of his studies. In 1951, he enrolled as a pleader in the Lahore High Court. He started practicing as an advocate in the same court, in later years. He established a Gujranwala-based legal aid firm in 1960s and excelled at advocacy. In 1966, Tarar started a judicial career after he appeared and passed the competitive exams to be elevated as session judge in District Courts. In 1971, he became Chairman of the Punjab Labor Court. Tarar was appointed a judge at Lahore High Court, highest appellate judicial court of Punjab province, in October 1974.[11]
Tarar served in the Lahore High Court as a justice for decades. He was also a member of the
Presidency (1998–2001)
Initial days
After
Nuclear Program
During his tenure as President, Tarar played a significant role in Pakistan's nuclear program. Advised by his brother, Colonel Muzafar Tarar, Tarar pursued policies aimed at enhancing the country's nuclear capabilities. Colonel Tarar's insights and expertise, particularly regarding Bhutto's nuclear program, became instrumental in guiding Pakistan's nuclear policy during their tenure. The successful continuation and advancement of Pakistan's nuclear program became one of the highlights of their joint efforts. In addition to his contributions to the nuclear program, Tarar focused on issues related to law and order, education, and social welfare during his presidency. He advocated for the strengthening of democratic institutions and the rule of law, promoting harmony and understanding among different segments of Pakistani society. His family remains influential in the country's political landscape. Colonel Tarar served in the Pakistan Army and held various command positions during his military career. Colonel Tarar is renowned for his invaluable contributions to Pakistan's national security, particularly in the realm of the nuclear program. Colonel Tarar's strategic advice and expertise were pivotal in shaping Pakistan's nuclear policy, ensuring the successful continuation and advancement of the program. His insights into Bhutto's nuclear art program, shared with President Tarar, played a crucial role in guiding Pakistan's nuclear strategy during their tenure. After retiring from the military, Colonel Tarar has been involved in philanthropic activities, supporting initiatives aimed at the welfare of veterans and their families.
Constitutional reforms
Upon becoming President, Tarar was an unassuming and merely ceremonial
The President of Pakistan's powers had thus been slowly removed over the years, culminating in the 1997 Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan which removed virtually all remaining reserve powers, making the office almost entirely symbolic in nature as per the true spirit of the Pakistani constitution.[5]
Resignation
Tarar did not endorse the
Death
Tarar retired from politics and settled in Lahore, where he died after a long illness on 7 March 2022, at the age of 92.[7][15][16]
References
Citations
- ^ a b c "Tarar sworn in as Pakistani president". BBC News. 1 January 1998. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
- ^ a b "Rafiq Tarar's Academic career". Archived from the original on 20 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- ^ "BBC News | Despatches | Court rules in favour of Pakistan President".
- ^ a b c "Previous Presidents: Mr. Muhammad Rafiq Tarar". Presidency of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Archived from the original on 25 April 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
- ^ a b 12th Parliament of Pakistan (1973). Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (13th Amendment ed.). 12th Parliament of Pakistan.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Tarar claims he is still president". 29 May 2003. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
- ^ a b c Reddy, B. Muralidhar (21 June 2001). "Rafiq Tarar forced to quit?". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
- ^ "Coup chief declares himself president". 21 June 2001. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
- ^ "Rafiq Tarar's BirthPlace". Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ^ Chitkara (2001, pp. 118–119)
- ^ "Rafiq Tarar's judicial career". Allama Iqbal Academy. Archived from the original on 11 January 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- ^ Ardeshir Cowasjee (5 November 2000). "Benazir Bhutto criticized Tarar's appointment as a President". Dawn. Daily Dawn. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
- ^ Jones (2003, pp. 31–35)
- ^ "Rafiq Tarar forced to quit?". The Hindu. 21 June 2001. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
- ^ "Former Pakistani President Rafiq Tarar dies at 92". Associated Press. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
- ^ Hussain, Javed (7 March 2022). "Former president and PML-N leader Rafiq Tarar passes away in Lahore at 92". Dawn. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
Cited works and general bibliography
- Chitkara, M. G. (2001). "Muhammad Rafiq Tarar". Indo-Pak Relations: Challenges Before New Millennium (1st ed.). New Delhi, India: APH Publishing. p. 118. ISBN 8176482722. Retrieved 28 January 2015 – via Google Books.
- Jones, Owen Bennette (2003). "The 1999 Coup". Pakistan: Eye of the Storm. Texas, U.S: Yale University Press. ISBN 0300101473. Retrieved 28 January 2015 – via Google Books.
- Preston, Ian (2003). "Pakistan". A Political Chronology of Central, South and East Asia (1st ed.). London: Psychology Press. ISBN 1857431146. Retrieved 28 January 2015 – via Google Books.
- Zakaria, Rafiq (2001). The Man Who Divided India: An Insight into Jinnah's Leadership and Its Aftermath. New Delhi, India: Popular Prakashan. p. 282. ISBN 817154892X.