Daily Times

Tell us about your foray into the field of law. How did it all begin for you?

Well, let’s put it that way I mean in the sense that I’ve always been aware of political history and political events in Pakistan, because my father was a politician and was in the opposition. So opposition people are more agitated and they discuss a lot about what is happening. So I was quite aware of it and then I got married and I took my law exam after that. I started my practice when my two girls were a little big. And then it was the time for Ziaul Haq that all these anti-women laws came in so we got roped in the Lawyer’s Movement which was quite formidable. And also at that time, we were the first ones to start the movement against Ziaul Haq with MRD that formed later. And then we went along with WAF because there were hardly any women lawyers. So these laws were being promulgated so we would go there and we would discuss it and write about it. The Muslim newspaper was the paper that was writing about it. The Women’s Movement really caught on in that period. And then I was arrested as well. House arrested at first and then arrested! Then house arrested again. Anyway, this went on but then looking at WAF which I found was very much focused on women I felt very strongly that there should be an organisation that should take care of human rights. So I went to talk to Nisar Usmani who was the editor of Dawn here. He was a very strong man. He agreed with me so we had this conference called Dimensions of Human Rights I remember, in which we invited everyone from across the country and there was a very good response because political parties were all banned in Pakistan. So many people who were in the political parties, came. And somehow we were given a room in a hotel which normally wouldn’t happen in Ziaul Haq’s period. Because they thought it was an innocuous kind of a seminar because there are some women running it but they didn’t realise the gravity of it. So it was in that seminar that as we had planned, we set up the Human Rights Commission. So we started work. Not just few women but men and women together on the whole question of human rights. I was the first secretary general and so I did a lot of field work. I was able to see the different political nuances in different regions like Balochistan and what is happening in FATA.

How supportive was your family when you decided this was the profession you wanted to take up?

Well, in the beginning they didn’t realise that I would get so involved. They thought it was something I was doing for a while and would get tired of. It was only when I got very involved that they began to react. But by that time it was too late.

What’s the toughest part about being a lawyer?

I think the toughest part of being a lawyer is seeing injustice in the house of justice.

At that time when you started out, was it hard for women to make their mark in such a male dominated profession?

I think it’s hard for women even now. It’s a male dominate profession. And the clients have more confidence in male lawyers than in women lawyers. It’s only when you cross a certain path in your profession that you’re distinguished as a competent female lawyer. There are so many male lawyers who would hate losing a case to a female lawyer. If they lose to a man, it wouldn’t matter that much.

‘I think the toughest part of being a lawyer is seeing injustice in the house of justice’

How have you always and even now motivated yourself to excel against all odds?

To educate myself at home in law was the hardest thing. I really had to work very hard to understand the basics of law. And some of my senior colleagues to this day, I call them up and take help from them about being stuck and how to get out if it and then many times, they would also seek help from me and I would know I’ve reached a certain level to be helping them out in return.

Why did you feel there was a dire need of a body like HRCP?

We needed to have collective action and brainstorming and also strategise ourselves.

What according to you has been your biggest achievement so far?

I think just being able to sustain has been my biggest achievement.

You have studied from abroad. Why did you opt for practising law coming back to Pakistan and not abroad?

No, I haven’t studied from abroad, but I do have six honorary doctorates. Amherst University, Queen’s University, Zurich University, Simon Fraser University, University of Pennsylvania and another. I like practicing here. There are several challenges and issues that are quite disturbing but at the same I’m one of those people who are willing to meet these challenges.

What is your vision for Pakistan and what does it mean to be Pakistani for you?

What it means to be a Pakistani for me also means being South Asian for me. I want Pakistan not to be an isolated country or inward looking. We have so many people living outside the country who can be so helpful in bringing modern techniques to this country. Because we are inward looking, even our diaspora tends to be inward-looking. There should be more movements within the regions so that people could see what the Nepalese are doing, what the Indians are doing, what the Bangladeshis are doing, what the Afghans are doing and what the Central Eastern countries are doing! Because it is a very fascinating region.

Growing up, who did you admire the most in the field of law?

There was only one female lawyer worth admiring at that time. Rabia Qari was the president of the Lahore High Court Bar twice. She was beaten up by the police in all the processions in the 1980s – very early. And she died then. I was very young at that time. She was an admirable woman. Very strong! She was professionally not that sound, but politically very strong. Mian Mehmood Ali Kasuri was also one of the top lawyers. A booming voice; he was compassionate and he was politically correct!

What do you do in your spare time?

I watch TV, films, and like to switch off because that is when you reflect.

What laws in the country you don’t agree with?

There are several laws, that I don’t agree with.

Do you think the Pakistani legal system is mostly just?

It’s unpredictable.

Tell us about a memorable incident during your career.

I think I have several memorable experiences. My whole life with the Human Rights Commission – I have enjoyed it to no end. I have watched Abid Hassan Minto as president of the bar and heard him speak. He’s a brilliant speaker and I’ve learned public speech from him.

We at Daily Times consider you one of our national heroes. Who are some of yours?

For me, Benazir Bhutto undoubtedly. I did not merely admire her, but I think we all have a debt to pay to her because we treated her rather badly to what she did for us. And sometimes, I’m a bit superstitious that the way we treated her, and her untimely assassination, has left a kind of a curse on us.

                                     Achievements

MULTI-FACETED LADY
Asma Jahangir is not just a highly-accomplished lawyer, but also a human rights and social activist, who co-founded and chaired the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

A SCHOLAR
Asma Jahangir is a well-read and highly-qualified professional with a penchant towards studying law and has been honoured with doctorates from six leading universities of the world. She has studied at the Convent of Jesus & Mary before receiving her BA from Kinnaird and LLB from the Punjab University. She has been awarded with honorary doctorates from Amherst University, Queen’s University, Zurich University, Simon Fraser University, University of Pennsylvania and another.

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
Jahangir served as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion until, including serving on the UN panel for inquiry into Sri Lankan human rights violations and on a fact-finding mission on Israeli settlements. She is the recipient of several awards including the 2014 Right Livelihood Award, 2010 Freedom Award, Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2010, Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Ramon Magsaysay Award, 1995 Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders, and the UNESCO/Bilbao Prize for the Promotion of a Culture of Human Rights. She was awarded an Officier de la Légion d’honneur by France.

LITERARY FIGURE
Jahangir has much to her credit and is a versatile lady who utilizes her skills to their fullest. Her prominent writings include The Hudood Ordinance: A Divine Sanction? and Children of a Lesser God.

Published in Daily Times, August 14^th 2017.