LAHORE, Pakistan: Pakistan lost one of the greatest and most respected human rights icon on Sunday as Asma Jahangir passed away in Lahore, leaving the people around the Country in a state of shock.
The 66-year-old Asma Jahangir felt a heart pain on Saturday night, and eventually was hospitalized in Lahore. Today she suffered from a cardiac arrest that caused her death, leaving a son and two daughters as her survivors.
Her funeral prayers will be offered at 2:00 pm on February 13 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Having been awarded several awards including Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2010 and Sitara-i-Imtiaz and known for her struggle for protection of Pakistani Constitution, Asma Jhangir would be remembered for all times to come.
President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussian, Prime Minister Shahid Khan Abbasi, Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, former President Asif Ali Zardari, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan and other political leaders in their condolence messages said that Pakistan lost today (Sunday) the honest and devoted constitutional expert and a woman who dedicated her whole for the supremacy of Parliament, Democracy and Constitution.
Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court has announced a three-day mourning following the death of Asma Jahangir.
The National Press Club (NPC) also announced to observe three-day mourning over Asha Jahangir’s death, and said that flag would remain at half-mast in its premises in Islamabad during the period.
Since her youth, Asma Jahangir had been fighting on streets against dictatorial rules and abrogation of Constitution by former dictators including General Ziaul Haq and General Musharraf. She was jailed several times during 70s, 80s and 90s.
Asma Jahangir was born on January 27, 1952 in Lahore in the house of Malik Ghulam Jillani who is also remembered as one of the most honest and brave politicians of Pakistan. She completed her schooling Convent of Jesus and Mary Lahore and finished her bachelor degree from Kinnaird College Lahore.
She joined core of lawyers of Supreme Court in 1982 and since then she devoted her life for human rights and supremacy of Constitution. She was most unwanted person by establishment of Pakistan during all marial Laws but she never compromised or bowed down against dictatorial rules.
She co-founded the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in 1987.
Shocked & deeply saddened to hear of Asma Jehangir’s sudden death. It is an irreparable loss. May she rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) February 11, 2018
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
Asma Jehangir’s death is a loss of a strong voice for the marginalised and oppressed. Despite our differences I always respected her for her fight for human rights and for standing up for her convictions.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 11, 2018
Shocked by the sad news of @Asma_Jahangir sudden passing 💔 She inspired and fought for so many people her entire life ! 💔 #RipAsmaJahangir
— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) February 11, 2018
.@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
Asma Jahangir was voice of the voiceless she was symbol of resistance she always opposed tyrant regimes pic.twitter.com/nWBdA02F3t
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) February 11, 2018
Asma Jahnagir a big loss for human rights struggle as well as for democracy we were known to each others for 48 years A strong person , leader daughter of a great man ……………tragic
— Iftikhar Ahmad (@jawabdeyh) February 11, 2018
Asma Jehangir.a brave brave fighter an activist,so sad to hear about her..may her soul rest in peace
— Kashif Abbasi (@Kashifabbasiary) February 11, 2018
Bravest, fearless, a true democrat Asma Jahangir has passed away… sad day… RIP
— Shahzeb Khanzada (@shazbkhanzdaGEO) February 11, 2018
Sadden over death of Asma Jhangir. Once I was admirer of her work but then developed differences over approaches concering politics, judicial activism to rule of law& accountability of ruling elite. Whatever diff, still she ll be remembered & missed as a formidable opponent. RIP
— Rauf Klasra (@KlasraRauf) February 11, 2018
Sad to know about Asma Janangir’s death. May she rest in peace
— Amir Mateen (@AmirMateen2) February 11, 2018
اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّآ اِلَیْہِ رَاجِعُوْنَ
عاصمہ جہانگیر کی جرأت، ذہانت اور فراست کو سلام، وہ ہمارے دلوں میں ہمیشہ زندہ رہیں گی— Mujibur Rahman Shami (@mujibshami1) February 11, 2018
What a sad news about @Asma_Jahangir , what a great loss , unbelievable …pakistan lost a brave, courageous and great icon
— Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) February 11, 2018
So long Asma, pure grit and courage, a ferocious fighter for what she believed in. May Allah Almighty bless her soul. Ameen! They dont make them like her anymore.
— Syed Talat Hussain (@TalatHussain12) February 11, 2018