ISLAMABAD: Politic­ians, rights activists and journalists on Wednesday remembered the late lawyer and human rights activist Asma Jahangir, lamenting she was not here to raise the voice for the voiceless when it was needed the most.

They were participating in a panel discussion titled “Challenges to Democracy and People’s Rights” organised by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan to mark Asma Jahangir’s first death anniversary at a hotel.

Ms Jahangir was born on Jan 27, 1952, in Lahore and died on Feb 11, 2018.

Renowned rights activist I.A. Rehman said that the colonial system was adopted after Pakistan came into being in 1947.

“Most laws were made against labour unions. Politicians were removed by levelling allegation of corruption but more corrupt people were brought to replace them. Though the institutional corruption is the worst thing in the world, focus remained on the corruption of individuals in Pakistan,” he said.

PPP leader blames lack of internal democracy in political parties for most issues

Speaking about a ban on non-government organisations (NGOs), Mr Rehman said the only check on the wavered state was civil society and that was why it was not being tolerated.

“NGOs, which had been speaking about human rights, were banned in the first phase and now even those NGOs are being banned which are giving awareness to the masses. It is unfortunate that the state doesn’t even want us to think,” he added.

Politician and rights activist Afrasiab Khattak said that apparently there was a civilian government in Pakistan but practically it was not correct.

“In the past, dictators removed civilian governments through direct interventions and the judiciary validated their actions, but after the 18th Amendment, direct interventions were stopped and prime ministers were removed through the judiciary. If political parties did not react to the current situation, they will become irrelevant,” he added.

Leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Farhatullah Babar said Asma Jahangir was a mentor and guide and inspiration for others, so rather than mourning her death her life should be celebrated.

“Today we need her (Asma Jahangir) the most because rights of people have been compromised. However, the Supreme Court’s decision in the Faizabad sit-in case is a ray of hope. The government should implement the decision in letter and spirit,” he suggested.

The PPP leader said it was unfortunate that there were no more resistant politicians, resistant journalists and resistant social activists in society. He blamed the lack of internal democracy in political parties for most of the issues.

Poet and writer Haris Khaleeq said there was an educated class in the country which had no interest in the rights of people.

“There is no struggle among institutions. The struggle is between appointed and elected. Appointed persons are not ready to accept the elected. That is why trade unions, labour unions, political parties and political figures were banned or removed from their parties,” he said.

He said civil society was being targeted and the freedom of association and freedom of expression were also being attacked.

Journalist Asma Shirazi said that during the past one year rights activists, journalists and the voiceless people remembered Asma Jahangir the most but no one tried to replace her.

“Today there is controlled media, controlled society and controlled parliament. Political parties need to speak because otherwise they will become irrelevant,” she said.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2019