History lesson from a former Kashmir judge

FROM the left: Babar Ali Khan, Naila Akhtar, ex-president of Oldham Law Association, Frances Greenhalgh, vice-chair, presenting a plaque to Mohammed Azam Khan, Zaffar Iqbal, host, Lorraine Mensah, immigration judge, Steve Durham, past president of Oldham Law Association

MEMBERS of Oldham's legal community met a retired chief judge from the Pakistani-administered region of Azad Kashmir.

Former Chief Justice Mohammad Azam Khan visited Oldham Law Association at a dinner held at the home of Zaffar Iqbal, the sole practitioner of Zacharia and Co Solicitors in Oldham.

Mr Khan retired in February this year having held the office of chief justice for six years. He gave a speech about the history of Azad Kashmir and also gave an insight into the judicial system of the region.

In recent weeks Mr Khan has visited the United States and the UK before he returns to Azad Kashmir at the end of this month.

Local legal figures at the Oldham event included law association vice president Frances Greenhalgh, who is a partner at Garratts Solicitors, and Naila Akhter, a partner at Platt Halpern, and Steve Durham, a partner at Cuttle and Co, who are both former law association presidents.

Other guests included Lorraine Mensah, an immigration judge, Debbie Abrahams MP and Wajid Khan MEP.

After the speeches a dinner was held which included a specially-made cake for the visit and the presentation of a plaque from Oldham Law Association to Mr Khan to mark the visit.

Frances Greenhalgh said "The Oldham Law Association has strong links to the local Kashmiri community and it was an honour to welcome Mr Khan to our town. His speech was fascinating and it was such a privilege to be part of this unique event."

The visit came ahead of events this week around the world marking the 70th anniversary of the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947.

British rule was ended on August 15 and the former India was partitioned into India, Pakistan and East Pakistan, which later became Bangladesh.