Lahore: Asma Jahangir, former president of Supreme Court Bar Association and a staunch human rights activist, passed away on Sunday in Lahore.
Asma Jahangir was rushed to a private hospital in Punjab’s provincial capital where she passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest earlier today.
Asma’s housemaid told the media that she was about to have breakfast when she suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.
Her funeral would be held outside Gaddafi Stadium on February 13 at 2.30 pm, announced the deceased’s family.
She co-founded the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and Women’s Action Forum.
She was a prominent figure in 2007 Lawyers’ movement which led to the restoration of Supreme Court Judges who were removed by Pervaiz Musharraf.
Asma was jailed in 1983 during the Military Dictator General Zia ul Haq’s era for protesting in favor of the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy.
She received several awards, including a Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2010 and a Sitara-i-Imtiaz. She was also awarded a UNESCO/Bilbao Prize for the Promotion of a Culture of Human Rights and an Officier de la Légion d’honneur by France. She received the 2014 Right Livelihood Award and the 2010 Freedom Award.
Asma was born on 27 January, 1952. She died at the age of 66.
Aggrieved Pakistanis take to Twitter to express sorrow on Asma Jahangir’s death:
Shocked & devastated to hear that @Asma_Jahangir is no more. An icon of our times; fearless defender of #humanrights. Inspired so many. leaves a rich legacy. #Pakistan is a poorer place without her.
May you rest in peace Asma ji.
khak mein kya suratein hongi k pinhan ho gayeen pic.twitter.com/1EgurOHAEO— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) February 11, 2018
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
End of an era – death of an icon
Asma Jahangir — 1952-2018 pic.twitter.com/JtUC7QBerD
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) February 11, 2018
Pakistan will miss you #AsmaJahangir pic.twitter.com/43H18VPe07
— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaGeoNews) February 11, 2018
It wasn’t easy to live Asma Jahangir’s life. The Asma Jahangir that lives inside every Pakistani women, brave, fearless, rebellious. Don’t let that Asma within you ever die. The fight continues! pic.twitter.com/tbUcHplQQ0
— Rabia Anum (@RabiaAnumm) February 11, 2018
Today it's not only Pakistan who will cry. The entire South Asia shall mourn #AsmaJahangir. This is a loss of not only Pakistan. She shook up the conscience of the world.
— Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) February 11, 2018
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
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