Pakistan on Tuesday bid farewell to another national hero as scores of people gathered at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for Asma Jahangir’s funeral.
Farooq Maududi led the deceased’s funeral prayers, while a number of prominent government officials, lawyers, celebrities, activists and ordinary citizens were present on occasion. The human rights activist was laid to rest at her family’s farm house on Bedian Road.
Jahangir, former president of Supreme Court Bar Association and a staunch human rights activist, passed away on Sunday in Punjab’s provincial capital due to a sudden cardiac arrest.
Asma Jahangir laid to rest in Lahore, Twitter reacts
People across the country, including the more prominent as well as commoners, have since Sunday took to micro-blogging website Twitter to honour the deceased hero of Pakistan.
Scores of women also gathered at the Asma Jahangir’s funeral. ‘We, the women, gave shoulder to her funeral bed,’ said special correspondent Daily Times, Marvi Sirmed.
We, the women, gave shoulder to her funeral bed. Yes we defied the code,
Asma's legacy will be carried on. It is impossible to have another Asma, and that's why we all will join our energies to continue her journey.#WeHaveADream— Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) February 13, 2018
#AsmaJahangir – Women & men all gathered to say her funeral prayer. Last subversive act. May she rest in power. pic.twitter.com/W7upoUPedY
— Rabia Mehmood – رابعہ (@Rabail26) February 13, 2018
Men and women seen together at the funeral prayers of #AsmaJahangir today at Lahore's Gaddafi stadium. pic.twitter.com/FygCY7pOGQ
— Naila Inayat (@nailainayat) February 13, 2018
A befitting farewell to #AsmaJahangir – Thousands of women & men from all over came to show their love & respect – It was a peoples’ funeral…
It was just how she would have liked it.
It was however, very tough to say goodbye. pic.twitter.com/Ci5edDJ9kF— Bushra Gohar (@BushraGohar) February 13, 2018
Two more from the funeral of the greatest of all time. This was the first funeral prayer I have ever said or participated in. Even in her death she empowered us. Salam. #AsmaJahangir pic.twitter.com/jWUM13adYC
— Rabia Mehmood – رابعہ (@Rabail26) February 13, 2018
Everywhere I saw I could see my comrades. Such was the life of Asma Jahangir. It was as political as Asma’s life. The tenants raised slogans for her, the women offered the funeral prayers, the left fraternity was present. A befitting farewell to #AsmaJahangir
— Tooba (@Tooba_Sd) February 13, 2018
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.