MIRPUR: Retired Session Judge and distinguished Kashmiri legal icon Muhammad Zakaria Bhatti passed away on June 13 at the District Headquarters Hospital, Mirpur, after a brief illness. He was 91.
Justice Bhatti, widely regarded as one of the pioneering members of the Azad Kashmir judiciary, leaves behind a legacy of integrity, public service, and judicial excellence. His funeral was attended by a large number of legal luminaries, military and civil officials, and prominent political and social leaders.
Born into a respected legal family, he was the eldest son of Maulvi Fazal Din Bhatti Advocate — a prominent political and social figure of the state — and father of Owais Bhatti Advocate, a former public prosecutor and noted lawyer.
Justice Zakaria Bhatti began his judicial career in 1958 after qualifying in law and was among the first appointed civil judges in Azad Kashmir. Over the decades, he held key positions including Collector Mangla Dam, District and Sessions Judge, Registrar and Ad Hoc Judge of the High Court, and Ad Hoc Judge of the Shariat Court. After retirement, he continued to practice law in both the High Court and Supreme Court of Azad Kashmir.
His funeral prayer was held in Mirpur and drew a large crowd, including General Imran, Advocate General Sheikh Maqsood Iqbal, former justices Syed Mazhar Kaleem and Jehandad Chaudhry, President Supreme Court Bar Najam Saqib, President High Court Bar Raja Waseem Khan, President District Bar, Session Judge Chaudhry Fayyaz Hussain, Chairman District Council Raja Naveed Akhtar Goga, and Mayor Mirpur Corporation Usman Khalid, among many others.
Professor Zaheer laid a floral wreath on his grave at Government College Sarosheen, Mirpur, in recognition of his lifelong services to the judiciary and the community.
