Law students and law graduates in Pakistan continue to contribute significantly to understanding events impacting the nation’s legal system. One such individual, Izhar Ahmed Khan, a 2022 LL.B. graduate from the Pakistan College of Law under the University of London International Program, recently shared a personal account of his advocacy for justice and the law in Pakistan.
In his recent dispatch, published by JURIST, Khan reflects upon his journey to his hometown of Pishin, Balochistan, an approximately 16-hour journey by bus from Lahore. There, he facilitated a discussion with a study circle of young, aspiring law students. His chosen topic for the interactive session was ‘Planning for a Career in Law: Expectations vs. Realities’, marking an earnest attempt to inspire the next generation of legal professionals in Pakistan.
Khan employed a Chinese proverb to encapsulate his wisdom and advice, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” Drawing parallels to law and justice, he asserted that equipping individuals with skills to bring about legal justice and empowering them to understand their rights could prove more beneficial than merely bestowing them.
He also noted how his audience remained attentive throughout the hour-and-a-half long session, intrigued by his professional roles—including legal practice, teaching at a law school, and his recent affiliation with JURIST as a staff correspondent. His discussions on potential careers in law and study programs extended to tips for success in the field. Khan stressed the importance of core skills like reading, writing, listening, and speaking, and guided against excessive dependence on others for study notes.
As a profound reflection of his personal journey, Khan’s discourse aimed at addressing the challenges of lawlessness, terrorism, illiteracy, and poverty that have marred society for decades. It is also viewed as a fitting tribute to the numerous lawyers who tragically lost their lives in the 2016 Quetta terrorist attack.
For Khan, and many others like him across Pakistan, imparting wisdom and creating healthier dialogues around law and justice is a beginning to addressing concerns looming over the nation’s legal landscape. It is hoped that these efforts will inspire and nurture future legal professionals, upholding the rule of law and initiating positive societal change.