PESHAWAR: The sudden death of prominent human rights activist and senior lawyer Ms Asma Jahangir has left the legal fraternity, civil society and political figures in a state of shock. They eulogized her struggle for the rule of law, supremacy of the Constitution and enforcement of fundamental rights.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council also announced that as per decision of the Pakistan Bar Council, the lawyers community would observe a day of mourning on Monday (today) and would stay away from court work.

Acting secretary of the council, Syed Sajidullah, announced that the council had asked the bar associations in the province to hold condolence meetings to pay homage to late Asma Jahangir and to pray for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace. It was added that the lawyers would not appear in courts.

Paying tribute to her, Awami National Party central general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that Asma Jahangir laid the foundation of speaking truth and had a clear and bold stand in tough times in the country.

Legal fraternity observes day of mourning today

“She was a bold woman. I have seen very few people like her who are impartial and can have clear stand on different issues relating to judiciary, democracy, defence, and legal and human rights,” he said.

He said that Ms Jahangir was an iconic figure who had co-founded the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and fought for democracy during the military rule. “With her death a chapter of struggle for democracy and speaking the truth on issues others fear to even mention has closed, but there is hope as she has influenced many,” said Mr Hussain in his statement issued to condole her sudden demise.

Pakhtunkhwa Civil Society Network coordinator Taimoor Kamal said that Ms Jahangir was voice of the voiceless people and she had the courage to defend the oppressed people of this society irrespective of whoever the oppressor was. He said that she was a source of inspiration for human rights defenders because of her courage and dedication. “Her relentless struggle for enforcement of fundamental rights of people is a glorious chapter in the history of Pakistan,” he said.

Vice-chairperson of Malgari Wakeelan affiliated with ANP, Abbas Khan Sangeen, said that Ms Jahangir was a prominent figure of the lawyers’ movement and had always remained in the forefront against dictatorial governments. He said that she was the first female president of the Supreme Court Bar Association and throughout her career being a lawyer and human rights activist she fearlessly fought for the values which she had cherished.

“She had the courage to talk on sensitive issues and her legacy would remain with us,” he said.

He said that Asma Jahangir’s famous case known as Asma Jillani Case – in which the Supreme Court had declared General Yahya Khan a usurper and the martial law imposed by him as unconstitutional – displayed the courage with which she had stood to military rulers even when she was a young girl.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2018