By Farah Ehsan

Aah! The last Sunday 11^th February 2018 was indeed a black Sunday for everyone who cares for mankind and humanity across the globe. It comes with a news that Pakistan’s world renowned human rights activist “Asma Jahangir” is no more! Inna lillah e wanna ileihe raajeun. Indeed we all belong to Allah and we have to go back to Him!

Asma Jahangir – one of the most invincible female Pakistan has ever produced. I will might not be able to express my grief in words, I will quote Raza Rumi that “we have to contend with a void”!

What a life she has lived! Even she was the one who lived larger than life! Some of the prominent figures of Pakistan have demanded to favour a state funeral from the Government of Pakistan for Asma Jahangir but actually it could be an honour for the state not for Asma-she was beyond all such titles and this is something she never looked after. This can be a favour for the state to glorify its soft image in the eyes of the world— Once someone asked from a Military general of East India Company that what will be the pride of the Great Britain in the chapters of history….India or Shakespeare??? The General replied that “We will definitely loose India one day but Shakespeare will be ours FOREVER! Shakespeare is England…so as Asma is Pakistan…the bright and glowing face of Pakistan.

This is our misfortune that the name of Pakistan has been highlighted in the world by those Pakistanis who had a really difficult time for their survival in the homeland.

Asma Jahangir was probably one of the last few sane voices from Sohni Dhartii. Her life reflects the way she dreamt of Pakistan to be; and her funeral was a true picture of that Pakistan. It has been a dream of each and every Pakistani who cares for Equality, justice and well being of mankind. But at the same time she were not in the good books of all the Pakistanis…especially fundamentalist Mullah and Military establishment—Unfortunately we live in a wild society where a ‘murderer’ can be celebrated as a ‘HERO’ but a human rights activist considered as a ‘Villain’. It is all because of the lack of education, peace of mind and tolerance, the key factors which play a vital role in the positive upbringing of a society and this is what she has struggled for—

Asma Jahangir has to be Asia’s Joan of Arc, who kept the torch of democracy ablaze in the darkness of dictatorship. Many of us were not even born when she has started her struggle for her vision. She was offered for the caretaker CM of Punjab in 2013 but she preferred to stay away from that corridor and again she was the most weighed candidate for the upcoming interim setup of 2018 national elections.

Time has proved that she stood on the righteous path with her ideology and principles. Her ideology and principles become her strength and keep her moving despite of all the obstacles in her way and given her the courage to say whatever needed to be said in every situation.

Those who are questioning the credibility of Asma Jahangir, I have sympathy with them because they don’t know the values she carried, her noble cause and of course her principles! I simply request them to stop being judgemental. Let’s refrain from pointing out others without knowing the complete reality; as you might have seen only one side of the picture and the other side of the picture would still be unseen. Learn to respect others point of view to make this world a better place to live.

Her name will be written with Fatima Jinnah and Benazir Bhutto with golden words in the chapters of the history of Pakistan. The torch lighted by her for civil supremacy and well being will be carried forward by all those who will be following her path…the path of principles. Because without ideology and principles you cannot be a nation but a flock of sheep.

Asma Jahangir left us with a legacy of hope and courage; let’s be Asma Jahangir—raise your voice against injustice and oppression…no matter how low the voice is….be sure to do your part to continue her ideology and to tribute her untiring life and struggle! Be the voice of poor and helpless masses as this is the only way to give your new generation a better place on earth to live and to prevail their dreams!!! Keep the torch enlightened for nothing but for your inner peace!

The writer is a Masters in Economics and Finance from Islamic International University, Islamabad.