First death anniversary: ‘Asma’s life a role model for bar and judiciary’

LAHORE: Senior lawyer and human rights activist Asma Jahangir was paid a rich tribute at a ceremony organised here by the Lahore High Court Bar Association on her first death anniversary.

The participants resolved to carry on struggle of Ms Jahangir for the rule of law, freedom of expression, democracy and for the rights of downtrodden class of the country. Several sitting judges of the Lahore High Court, senior lawyers and rights activists graced the occasion. Swedish ambassador to Pakistan Ms Ingrid Johansson also attended the gathering.

Speaking on the occasion, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi said the life of Ms Jahangir was a role model for the bar and judiciary. He said Ms Jahangir played a vital role for an independent judiciary in Pakistan. He also highlighted her contribution to the rights of minorities and poor class of the country.

Ms Johansson said Ms Jahangir enjoyed a great respect not only in Pakistan but all over the world. She said Ms Jahangir left a legacy of her struggle for the rule of law and democracy in addition to her legal expertise.

Rights activist IA Rehman, Ahmad Rashid, Dr Mehdi Hassan, Advocates Ahsan Wayn, Ahsan Bhoon and Azam Nazir Tarar also spoke on the occasion. They recalled memories of Ms Jahangir and praised her struggle and mission.

They urged the legal fraternity in particular to continue the mission of Ms Jahangir and try to fill the void created after her death. At the end, Ms Jahangir’s daughter Muneze Jahangir exhibited a video documentary on the life of her mother.