Asma is no more, loved Hyderabad

Pakistani Human Rights lawyer and social activist Asma Jahangir loved Hyderabad and had been here two years ago for holidaying.

The renowned Pakistani lawyer passed away in Islamabad on Sunday. She was 66. Doctors said that she died of a cardiac arrest in Lahore and was brought to the hospital on Saturday night.

According to Mazher Hussain, executive director of COVA, a city-based social organisation, the eminent social activist came to the city for around five days along with her family in 2016. “She was much impressed by the people, shopkeepers and the tourist spots here,” Mazher recalls.

Prior to this visit, Asma had come to the city in 2001 to attend the Asia Social Forum meet.

Noted historian Anand Raj Verma, who had accompanied Asma and her husband to a few tourists places, said that she was impressed after seeing the marvellous palatial houses in the city. “I went along with them to Khursheed Jah Devdi, Iqbal ul Dowla Devdi and a few other places,” he said.

“Later, they had visited a prominent eatery and a market,” Mr Verma added.

Asma was put under house arrest and later imprisoned in 1983 for participating in a movement for the restoration of political and fundamental rights during the military regime. She was again put under house arrest in November 2007 after the imposition of emergency rule in Pakistan. She has represented several clients who were denied their fundamental rights. Asma Jahangir defended cases of minorities, women and children in prisons. She was a recipient of several national awards, including SitaraI-Imtiaz in 1995.

Asma was awarded the American Bar Association International Human Rights Award in 1992, the Martin Ennals Award and the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1995.