Just one day after the passing away of prominent human rights activist Asma Jahangir — the Sindh Chief Minister sent written word requesting that she be honoured with a state funeral. In addition, he has also asked that the national flag fly at half-mast today; the day that she is to be buried. The Sindh CM’s request is not surprising for anyone familiar with the history of the PPP and Asma Jahangir’s remarkable life. After all, she was first arrested in 1983 for participating in the Movement for Restoration of Democracy (MRD) alongside several PPP workers. She was also a harsh critic of MQM militancy in Karachi. This worked in the PPP’s favour. However, it is important to view Jahangir’s contributions and accomplishments through an apolitical lens. Her services were not limited to those associated with the PPP or citizens from a particular province. Her greatest achievement, for example, was the founding of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP); an institution that earned global recognition for its defence of religious minorities, women, the impoverished and other vulnerable segments of Pakistani society across the board. The HRCP’s annual report on human rights in the country is also used by foreign governments as an indicator of the state of play here. Furthermore, Asma Jahangir was a defender of the Constitution and democracy in a country that has been ruled by military dictators for a third of its existence. She was jailed by General Zia-ul-Haq in 1983 and by then President-General Pervez Musharraf in 2007. Had it not been for Asma Jahangir and those who have struggled along with her for the preservation of the above — it is very possible that Pakistan would not be a democracy today. For these reasons alone, Asma Jahangir deserves a state funeral. Yet we believe she is worth more than mere pomp and circumstance. Meaning that this would be meaningless in the long-term without sincere commitment and follow-through on the part of the state apparatus to uphold the values that she stood for. And all of this will take gumption; of which Asma Jahangir had lots. In other words, Pakistan cannot claim to pay true homage to her while the draconian blasphemy laws stand unreformed; or while Ahmadis remain non-Muslims as per constitutional provisions. Thus we call for less pomp and more substance. * Published in Daily Times, February 13th 2018.