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QUETTA: Former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association and human rights activist Asma Jahangir on Thursday said that she would defend Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai in a court of law if a petition was filed against him for his criticism of intelligence agencies in the wake of the Quetta suicide attack earlier this week.
Ms Jehangir was talking to journalists at the Balochistan High Court where she had gone to offer condolences to the lawyers’ community.
Mr Achakzai, she regretted, was being called a traitor for speaking the truth. She said that other lawyers would also appear before the court if a petition was filed against him.
“We have been receiving threats and today again terrorists struck in Quetta, detonating a bomb that could have hit a judge of the Federal Shariat Court, which indicates we are still the target,” she said.
She said that the anti-terror operation should start from the grass-root level to wipe out the menace of terrorism.
Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2016
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Comments (56) Closed
Aug 12, 2016 07:05am
She is outspoken and at times proved more brave than men
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Aug 12, 2016 07:08am
Kudos to bold people in all the chaos.
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Aug 12, 2016 07:20am
The only man in midst of silent mute masses.
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Aug 12, 2016 07:29am
Sach bold people are very scarce in pakistan. Kudos.
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Aug 12, 2016 07:33am
Everyone knows he was speaking the truth but afraid to admit the same! It's time for accountability!
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Aug 12, 2016 07:57am
Mr. Achakzai is a true Pakistani. He is courages and a real champion of democracy. I am glad that Ms. Asma Jehangir and other lawyers are supporting and defending Mr. Achakzai
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Aug 12, 2016 07:58am
thank you, courageous lady.
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Aug 12, 2016 08:01am
This lady is BRaVE
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Aug 12, 2016 08:22am
Look at the condition of human rights in pakistan. People even can not criticise the government. The government must take responsibility and act against the terrorist, instead they are targeting intellectuals who are expressing concerns over the matter. Nothing will come out if the blame game will go on. Desparate attempt to block the voice of people.
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Aug 12, 2016 08:23am
Very courageous supporter of fundamental rights.... including those of Kashmiris.
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Aug 12, 2016 08:47am
We need to support these brave people, because they are the true patriots. Their criticism is actually their love for the country. All we need to understand them.
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Aug 12, 2016 08:47am
Be well, Mrs Asma Jehangir. We respect your fortitude, sagacity and wisdom.
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Aug 12, 2016 09:02am
To root out the menace of terrorism the operation should be from top to the bottom and not from the grass root level up.
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Aug 12, 2016 09:19am
This lady is great proud of her.
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Aug 12, 2016 09:19am
If not the elected leaders than who will question the intelligence agencies? What kind of democracy is this?
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Aug 12, 2016 09:23am
What is wrong in Achakzai saying: PM should sack officers of intelligence agencies if they fail to trace Quetta attack perpetrators. He is very concerned about these terrorists attacks that have killed thousands of innocents.
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Aug 12, 2016 09:25am
I believe, mature handling of this issue will strengthen Pakistan.
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Aug 12, 2016 09:25am
Why cant agencies be criticised. Of course in the wake of such attacks it is their lapse that caused such an attack.
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Aug 12, 2016 09:29am
The government has a fight on it's hands. After the Quetta military school debacle the military was supposed to stop these attacks. Now they doesn't want to be criticized?
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Aug 12, 2016 09:49am
As a principle I agree with Asma Jehangir but we have to see Achakjae statement in the context of his contribution to the country. Has he got any right to criticize others when he himself has done nothing for the country except enjoy the perks and live a life as an emporor. What has he done for his people except support corrupt rulers in the centre? I don't accept any criticism by people like him for security agencies who are sacrificing their lives for the country. Polititians like him will have to improve governance to improve the whole security situation. People like him use the police to protect themselves, make political appointments in police, destroy the structure and discipline of police and then start critisizing the security agencies. Internal security is the responsibility of civil government and not anybody else. Incompetent people like him should keep work for the country
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Aug 12, 2016 09:50am
@W Shaikh Don't agree with you. Achakzei is an opportunist and incompetent. I salute Asma Jehangir though
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Aug 12, 2016 09:55am
Madam Asma is courageous woman and call spade a spade.
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Aug 12, 2016 10:02am
@Farhan Kermani , is it too much difficult to understand that nobody can prevent a suicide attack?
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Aug 12, 2016 10:02am
pak public taken for a ride by the establishment
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Aug 12, 2016 10:02am
Seems unreal, but Pakistan seems to be finally waking up from it's 70 year slumber! First ray of hope. Don't crush it...
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Aug 12, 2016 10:05am
@Rahul , that's right what kind of democracy is that? All the major political party has militants wings.
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Aug 12, 2016 10:22am
Elected representatives have every right to ask questions about the performance of secret services.
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Aug 12, 2016 10:32am
She is brave women of Pakistan, really prude of her attitude.
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Aug 12, 2016 10:51am
Very brave lady, Pakistan society is proud of having someone like you.
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Aug 12, 2016 11:09am
So Mr, Achakzai is not alone
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Aug 12, 2016 11:11am
best armed forces.no one intelgence agencies,praise worthy police but no body stops attacks why . being very poor we spend all on these forces but end result is zero.there is some thing wrong some where
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Aug 12, 2016 11:32am
Criticism of the government is a right of each citizen and should be respected and not suppressed. It is the suppression and hiding of truths which has gotten us into the current mess we are in.
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Aug 12, 2016 11:46am
Everything is sad what is against integrity of Pakistan and its institutions....
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Aug 12, 2016 11:54am
You must look at crime and terrorism right now and compare it with previous years.it is because of these intelligence agencies you can walk safely right now in karachi...if we cant be "thankful" to them then least keep quiet.
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Aug 12, 2016 12:02pm
All the power to you.
Truth will free the nation's soul so it can heal.
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Aug 12, 2016 12:05pm
First see not 10 out of 10 attacks can be stopped few glitches does remain politically and publicaly.second before blaming intelligence agencies take a look at pace of attacks in 2016 and compare it with previous years.in karachi now there is more peace as compare to previous years and so in other areas.
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Aug 12, 2016 12:14pm
I will support Mr Achakzai at all times.
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Aug 12, 2016 12:16pm
This is the way she keeps herself in news - even if it is on wrong side.
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Aug 12, 2016 12:18pm
We may disagree with Madam Asma Jehangir at times but as a matter of fact she is a courageous lady with clear ideals for which she , herself , has suffered insults and threats to her life.
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Aug 12, 2016 12:37pm
....not surprised to see Asma Jahangir coming to his defense.
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Aug 12, 2016 12:40pm
There is a saying that don't look who is talking but listen to what he has to say. Irrespective of whatever people think of Achakzai, he took a bold stance and rightly pointed out that any failures on part of intelligence agencies should also be brought under scrutiny and they should be made accountable. I certainly hope and pray that we have more politicians like him.
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Aug 12, 2016 12:49pm
Sitting at the back and just making provocative statements .Not realizing these soldiers are laying their lives while fighting the terrorists. Its actually the job of police to look after its citizen Mrs. Jehangir have you ever raised your voice against corruption of these politicians and that the justice system paralyzed by handful of elite people and only serving interest of powerful but not the weak. Have you ever talk about solutions to the problems...there is nothing bold about her statement.
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Aug 12, 2016 01:01pm
These people continue to pressurized intelligence agencies either by giving baseless statements like this or by showing their indignation against military courts that was performing effectively.. here their pseudo humanity aroused.where is your humanity now in quetta bast then?
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Aug 12, 2016 01:09pm
Asma Jahangir is the boldest voice of this land always standing against tyranny .Everybody else is parroting the dictation fed to him/her .
Salute to you brave lady .
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Aug 12, 2016 01:16pm
Good governance by the civil rulers will surely reduce the influence of military but where is the government?
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Aug 12, 2016 01:26pm
Why is she not speaking against the cyber crime bill?
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Aug 12, 2016 01:54pm
Did she spoke about Dr Shahid Masood ban?
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Aug 12, 2016 02:41pm
@Vaidyanathan - If "Sach bold people are very scarce in Pakistan", then tell us about the 'abundance' of such people in India talking about RAW operatives in Pakistan or talking about atrocities on Kashmiris?
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Aug 12, 2016 02:47pm
i am not surprised with the lady.
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Aug 12, 2016 02:54pm
Why Achakzai blaming the officers when he is part of rulling government. What did he do then?
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Aug 12, 2016 02:55pm
@Reality Check true, i also remember him saying KP should be part of Afghanistan.
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Aug 12, 2016 04:10pm
It is high time that people in power corridors / our establishment whether civil or military should review their policy of "strategical asset" there are no good or bad terrorists, terrorists are simply terrorists and they should be treated equally and before going after terrorists / extremists they have to cleanse their own rank and files from the people with extremists tendencies / inclinations
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Aug 12, 2016 04:33pm
if she is going to say anything in defencs of Dr. Shahid Maqsood?
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Aug 12, 2016 04:43pm
Criticism is good but only until we change ourselves first! So we, as a nation need a change first instead of merely criticizing on establishment.
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Aug 12, 2016 05:36pm
But Mr. Achakzai is a member of the parliament and his brother Governor of Baluchistan. Both are drawing benefits and privileges from the government. Both are part of the status quo. Why do they not resign from their posts in protest?
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Aug 12, 2016 07:29pm
@Ayub All pakistanis with pakistani citizenship are expected to be loyal to Pakistan. All patriotic pakistanis should try to disassociate themselves from 'suspected' personnel. Otherwise their loyalty to Pakistan will become a 'suspect' as well.
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