Leaders in state of shock and grief over death of leading human rights lawyer Asma Jahangir

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

Following the death, condolences poured in as people took to the social networking website Twitter to mourn over the loss of the country’s most vocal human rights champion. Jahangir,a human rights lawyer, was also Pakistan’s first woman to serve as President of Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan.

Jahangir, who played an instrumental role in lawyers’ movement for the 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.

Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of the former premier, said: “Democracy, human rights and resistance     human rights and a staunch supporter of democracy. May her soul rest in peace?”

PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said his party was in mourning over the death of Asma Jahangir.Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari said, “Shocked to hear Asma Jahangir passed away. Huge loss for us, for Pakistan. She was courageous, fearless, and invincible. In absolute disbelief. Please pray for her & her family.”

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi said: “My dearest friend and leader Asma Jahangir 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!”

One of the most iconic outspoken human rights campaigners, Jahangir completed her LLB from University of the Punjab following her graduation from Kinnard College.

She was awarded with numerous prestigious awards nationally and internationally, which include Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders in 1995. In Pakistan, she was awarded with Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2010 along with various other awards.

Category: Media Monitoring