Ahmer Bilal Soofi
Ahmer Bilal Soofi | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights | |
| In office 2 April 2013 – 7 June 2013 | |
| President | Asif Ali Zardari |
| Prime Minister | Mir Hazar Khan Khoso (caretaker) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 November 1962 |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
Ahmer Bilal Soofi is a Pakistani lawyer and a former Minister of Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights in the 2013 Khoso caretaker ministry.[1] Soofi is a member of the Board of Governors of the Islamabad Policy and Research institute, a think tank based in Islamabad.[2]
Soofi regularly contributes articles to Pakistani newspapers, offering commentary and analysis on legal, social, and political issues.[3]
Early life and education
Ahmer Bilal Soofi was born to M. A. Soofi, a periodontist, and Iqbal Soofi, a medical doctor.[4] His father, M. A. Soofi, was a dentist who had worked for the Muslim League and Muslim National Guard.[5][6]
He has a Master of Laws degree from the University of Cambridge.[7]
Legal career
In 2013, the Pakistani government engaged Soofi's firm for Rs 90M (approx US$838,000) to act in a dispute before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.[8]
Views
Soofi has condemned Israel's actions in its war against Gaza, arguing that Israel had committed genocide, that its occupation of Palestinian territory was illegal, and that Palestinians had a right to armed resistance under international law.[9] He has argued that the Quran is a legally binding contract between Allah and all of humanity, including non-believers of Islam.[10][11]
Amidst the ongoing 2025 India–Pakistan crisis, Soofi has argued in favour of the Pakistani government's view that any abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty by India would constitute an act of war against Pakistan, which would justify a nuclear attack upon India.[12][13] Soofi interprets the Advisory Opinion on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons as implicitly legitimising Pakistan's possession of nuclear weapons and the proposition that in extreme circumstances, nations may justifiably use nuclear weapons as a form of self defence.[13]
Personal life
He is married with three sons.[14] His son Bakhtawar Bilal Soofi is an Advocate of the Punjab bar and a partner at the elder Soofi's law firm.[4][15] Bakhtawar's younger brother, Sadiq Karim Soofi, is a graduate of Harvard University.[16][17]
He was formerly the president of WWF Pakistan.[18]
References
- ^ Ghumman, Khawar (4 April 2013). "Portfolios allotted: Surprise addition likely in caretaker cabinet".
- ^ "BOG". IPRI. Islamabad Policy Research Institute. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ "News stories for Ahmer Bilal Soofi - DAWN.COM". www.dawn.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Punjab bar council - Advocates High Court List" (PDF). pbbarcouncil.com.
- ^ "History of dentistry – 3000 BC -2000 AD" (PDF). www.muslimuniversity.edu.af.
- ^ "Remembering Quaid-e-Azam". The Nation. 13 August 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ "ABS & Co | Ahmer Bilal Soofi". ABS & Co. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ GRAIN. "Govt to cough up Rs90m for ICSID case". www.bilaterals.org. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "Stop the genocide | Encore | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ Soofi, Ahmer Bilal (9 May 2023). "Qur'anic Covenants: Is the Covenant a Basic Feature of the Qur'an?". doi:10.2139/ssrn.4442817.
- ^ "Quran a binding covenant between Allah and humanity: Ahmer Bilal Soofi". Islamabad Post. 10 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "Indus Tensions: Pakistan Warns of Nuclear Response to Indian Aggression". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ a b Soofi, Ahmer Bilal (23 May 2025). "Self-defence under the law...Ahmer Bilal Soofi". Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "Mr.Ahmer Bilal Soofi" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 October 2022.
- ^ "Bakhtawar Bilal Soofi". ABS & Co. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ "Head Boy and Student Leaders - Aitchison College". www.aitchison.edu.pk. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ "Harvard Affiliates Embark on 'Pakistan Trek' Over Spring Break". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ^ "Copy of Copy of Presidents - past and present". www.wwfpak.org. Retrieved 31 May 2025.