In pictures: Remembering Asma Jahangir — a fierce champion of human rights

A few snapshots from Jahangir's life highlighting her achievements and causes.
Dawn.com Published February 11, 2018

Arguably one of Pakistan's fiercest and most outspoken champions of human rights, Asma Jahangir was a polarising but respected and awe-inspiring figure.

A pro-democracy activist, Jahangir was vocal about the rights of women and minority communities. She advocated freedom of speech, and often highlighted the plight of missing persons in Pakistan.

She passed in away in Lahore on Feb 11, 2018 at the age of 66 after suffering cardiac arrest.

Here are a few snapshots from her life.

A beaming Asma Jahangir is awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz by then president Asif Ali Zardari at a Pakistan Day investiture ceremony in 2010. ─ Dawn/File
A beaming Asma Jahangir is awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz by then president Asif Ali Zardari at a Pakistan Day investiture ceremony in 2010. ─ Dawn/File

Asma Jahangir addresses a protest in Lahore on April 4, 2009, against the public flogging of a woman. — AFP/File
Asma Jahangir addresses a protest in Lahore on April 4, 2009, against the public flogging of a woman. — AFP/File

Asma Jahangir taking part in the 2017 Women on Wheels rally in Lahore.─ AFP/File
Asma Jahangir taking part in the 2017 Women on Wheels rally in Lahore.─ AFP/File

Asma Jahangir in Oct 2017 holds up the passports of a missing Turkish couple who were said to have been deported from Pakistan. ─ Dawn/File
Asma Jahangir in Oct 2017 holds up the passports of a missing Turkish couple who were said to have been deported from Pakistan. ─ Dawn/File

Pakistani lawyers and human rights activists rally to condemn the killing of Christian leader Shahbaz Bhatti outside the LHC on March 7, 2011. ─ AP/File
Pakistani lawyers and human rights activists rally to condemn the killing of Christian leader Shahbaz Bhatti outside the LHC on March 7, 2011. ─ AP/File

Asma Jahangir addressing a conference in her role as a UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran. — UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré
Asma Jahangir addressing a conference in her role as a UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran. — UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

French envoy Philippe Thiebaud confers the Officier de la Legion d'Honneur on Asma Jahangir on Oct 4, 2014. ─ Dawn/File
French envoy Philippe Thiebaud confers the Officier de la Legion d'Honneur on Asma Jahangir on Oct 4, 2014. ─ Dawn/File

Asma Jahangir is awarded Poland's Pro Dignitate Humana award at a ceremony in Warsaw on Jan 29, 2014. ─ Photo courtesy Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Asma Jahangir is awarded Poland's Pro Dignitate Humana award at a ceremony in Warsaw on Jan 29, 2014. ─ Photo courtesy Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Comments (25) Closed
Faisal
Feb 11, 2018 07:25pm
Inna lillahi wa inna rajuin
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Honest Opinion
Feb 11, 2018 07:36pm
Generations to come will be inspired by her.
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AnisAqeel
Feb 11, 2018 07:43pm
So sad, Pakistan lost one of the bravest who could say spade a spade right on the faces of dictators and oppressors. Never had any fear of drawn out swords and guns, instead spoke out right and loud.
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SAT
Feb 11, 2018 08:14pm
Great lady from Pakistan.
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Rishi
Feb 11, 2018 10:36pm
Salute to the courageous soul. May she witness from the heavens her dream of a more tolerant, just, and caring society coming true.
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Omair
Feb 12, 2018 03:33am
it feels like a personal loss. She was my voice and of many others who see the problems with this country but don't have the courage to stand up.
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David Salmon
Feb 12, 2018 06:00am
A perfect lawyer.
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LAHORI KID
Feb 12, 2018 06:41am
What an amazing lady she was. A true fighter for people's rights.
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hm
Feb 12, 2018 09:04am
A great leader for many generations...hopefully will see her biography soon!
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Amjad nazeer
Feb 12, 2018 11:22am
I support PPP's call for her official burial. She deserves a national salute. Hats off to her courage and steadfastness in promoting democracy and human rights.
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YogindeR Tickoo
Feb 12, 2018 12:02pm
Sad day for all south Asia & the world at large
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Mo
Feb 12, 2018 04:53pm
She was the last yet a most important link in saving my life.
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Faisal
Feb 13, 2018 02:42am
A truly great and courageous person. So motivated for the well being of oppressed in Pakistan and beyond. What a loss!
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Lala Hassan
Feb 13, 2018 04:21pm
A match less, fearless, tireless champion of Human Rights beyond any religious, ethnic, political affiliation. Great loss. Cant explain sentiments in words.
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kumar
Feb 14, 2018 06:49am
Great human being, best example for many in sub-continent! Her courage to protect the needy is exemplary. My sincere solute to her and you are remembered and respected for many years to come madam, Inna lillahi wa inna rajuin.
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Habib H Yad
Feb 14, 2018 05:43pm
She was a great freedom fighter and a symbol of resistance. Her mission was to liberate human from the chain of illusions.
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mumtaz shah
Feb 14, 2018 10:21pm
Long live Asma J
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Ibrahim S
Feb 11, 2020 08:33am
We miss you dearly .
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Syed Irfan
Feb 11, 2020 10:18am
Asma was the only one. No one can replace her. The kind of bravery she showed is a lesson for all of us. RIP.
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Salaria Ahmad ka Abba
Feb 11, 2020 12:04pm
another lady after benazir
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M. Emad
Feb 11, 2020 02:54pm
Asma Jehangir received the "Friends of Liberation Honour" award in 2013 by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on behalf of her late father Malik Ghulam Jilani.
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Waseem Bahadur
Feb 11, 2020 03:08pm
We need to remember our real icons through sharing their work in the literature and art so that our coming generations may be able to know about them. Unfortunately even the education institutions and media are also unable to do so, as we can’t expect anything positive from out state.
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M. Siddique
Feb 11, 2020 06:32pm
She was one bold soul. RIP.
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faisal
Feb 11, 2020 07:02pm
The Mother of Humanity Asma Jahangir we miss you.
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Sandeep Vadera
Feb 11, 2020 07:41pm
Great human being and a great soul. Long live Ms Jahangir !
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