Nation mourns death of leading human rights lawyer Asma Jahangir

LAHORE: Leading human rights activist and lawyer Asma Jahangir bade a sad farewell to the nation on Sunday.

Jahangir, who played an instrumental role in lawyers’ movement for independence of judiciary, died from cardiac arrest today in Punjab’s provincial capital at the age of 66.

Her sudden death saddened the entire nation as people from all social strata, including politicians, lawyers, judges, civil rights campaigners, expressed their condolences.

In a statement on the official Twitter account of PTI, party chief Imran Khan offered his condolences on the death of Ms Jahangir. He admired her struggle for the rule of law and stability of democracy in the country.

چیئرمین تحریک انصاف کا عاصمہ جہانگیر کے انتقال پر گہرے رنج کا اظہار

پاکستان میں جمہوریت کے استحکام اور قانون کی حکمرانی کیلئے انکی کاوشوں کا اعتراف
–@ImranKhanPTI

— PTI (@PTIofficial) February 11, 2018

Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of the former premier, said: “Democracy, human rights and resistance against oppression lost a great soldier- Asma Jehangir. It’s everyone’s loss. What a sad day!.”

Democracy, human rights and resistance against oppression lost a great soldier- Asma Jehangir. It’s everyone’s loss. What a sad day!

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) February 11, 2018

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif offering his condolence said, “Deeply saddened by the news of sudden demise of renowned lawyer and human rights activist Asma Jahangir sahiba. Pakistan has lost a passionate champion of human rights and a staunch supporter of democracy. May her soul rest in peace!”

إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ

Deeply saddened by the news of sudden demise of renowned lawyer and human rights activist Asma Jahangir sahiba. Pakistan has lost a passionate champion of human rights and a staunch supporter of democracy. May her soul rest in peace!

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 11, 2018

PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said his party was in mourning over the death of Asma Jahangir.

عاصمہ جہانگیر کے انتقال پر پیپلز پارٹی سوگ میں ہے: بلاول بھٹو

— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) February 11, 2018

Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari said, “Shocked to hear @Asma_Jahangir passed away. Huge loss for us, for #Pakistan. She was courageous, fearless, invincible. In absolute disbelief. Please pray for her & her family.”

Shocked to hear @Asma_Jahangir passed away. Huge loss for us, for #Pakistan. She was courageous, fearless, invincible. In absolute disbelief. Please pray for her & her family.

— Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) February 11, 2018

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi said: “My dearest friend and leader Asma Jehangir has passed away. We are in a state of shock and grief. This void will not be easily filled. Her courage to speak truth to power was unprecedented and exemplary. Asma! Rest in Power!”

My dearest friend and leader Asma Jehangir has passed away. We are in a state of shock and grief. This void will not be easily filled. Her courage to speak truth to power was unprecedented and exemplary. Asma! Rest in Power!

— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) February 11, 2018

Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said, “What a brave woman.Pakistan poorer without her.People like Asma are anchors of a society.The brave and dedicated daughter of a brave father.After 3 generations of camaraderie between our families,this is a deep personal loss.God bless her soul.”

.@asma_jahangir What a brave woman.Pakistan poorer without her.People like Asma are anchors of a society.The brave and dedicated daughter of a brave father.After 3 generations of camaraderie between our families,this is a deep personal loss.God bless her soul

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) February 11, 2018