Asma Jahangir, former president of Supreme Court Bar Association and a staunch human rights activist, passed away on Sunday in Lahore.
According to reports, she passed away due to a cardiac arrest. Her funeral date would be decided once relatives of the deceased living abroad return to Pakistan.
Asma Jahangir’s legacy
Asma co-founded Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in 1987, founded Women’s Action Forum and was a prominent figure in 2007 Lawyers’ movement which led to the restoration of Supreme Court Judges who were removed by former president Pervaiz Musharraf.
Asma was also jailed in 1983 during General Zia ul Haq’s era for protesting in favour of the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy.
She fought against the powerful and for the weak. Asma was a lady who always stood for what she believed in, and not only that, through her tireless efforts and commitment, earned applause of Pakistan’s progressive community.
Despite facing severe criticism from the country’s majority, Pakistan’s iron lady remains an inspiration to many for standing firm on her grounds and working for the spread of democratic values, human welfare and equality within Pakistan and across the globe.
The human rights activist was honoured with numerous prestigious national and international awards. Jahangir received the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders, Ramon Magsaysay Award, was nominated for 2005 Nobel Peace Prize and was awarded the Stefanus Prize among several others achievements.
On 27 October 2010, she triumphed in Supreme Court Bar Association election by securing 834 of total votes and becaming the first ever women President of SCBA in the history of Pakistan.
But of all her achievements throughout the activist’s illustrious career, being a fearless and independent lady in a male-dominated country like Pakistan would forever remain her biggest accolade.
Pakistan has lost a brave voice today, but Asma’s ideas, thoughts, missions and works would continue to inspire people for generations to come, and like rights activist Nighat Dad said: “Asma’s legacy would live on.”
https://twitter.com/nighatdad/status/962642969277935616
People have took to Twitter to pay their tributes to the deceased Pakistani Icon
A real life superhero who changed many lives for the better.
#Pakistan has lost its fearless daughter #AsmaJahangir you were one courageous woman. You were a real life super-woman #RIP #Shero pic.twitter.com/9Cq3Jef60b
— Samar MinAllah Khan (@SamarMinallahKh) February 11, 2018
Not many people have the courage to look right in the eye of adversity and defeat it.
‘Speaking truth to power’ a phrase, we often use. #AsmaJahangir lived,practiced till her last breath. Questioned mullahs, military, judges, politicians, all the powerful;defended downtrodden. Faced threats &
attacks. Was never afraid.What a hero. We have to contend with a void. pic.twitter.com/NFamtObL0s— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) February 11, 2018
“Success is not final, the failure is not fatal: its the courage to continue that counts”.
In her her struggle for a liberal, progressive, democratic Pakistan she remained on the right side history. In her case “The success is not final, the failure is not fatal: its the courage to continue that counts” & she fought till the last breath #AsmaJahangir we’ll miss you
— Muaaz Ahsan (@MuaazAhsanGeo) February 11, 2018
Asma has inspired a generation, and her legacy guarantees hope to the future ones.
So so so upset. It’s the passing of the only Pakistani feminist icon we knew as kids. The only one we looked up to as the relentless upholder of women’s rights in this country. Salaam to that great, great Pakistani woman. #AsmaJahangir
— Sabahat Zakariya (@sabizak) February 11, 2018
And certainly, an irreplaceable loss.
Sad day! Pakistan lost the brave & vocal #AsmaJahangir today. Eminent lawyer & a staunch democracy activist who not only challenged the dictators but also played a vital role in promoting the culture of human rights in Pakistan.
An irreparable loss! pic.twitter.com/ftittir92D
— Naz Baloch (@NazBaloch_) February 11, 2018