I am so proud of Pakistanis and specifically of our lawyers for speaking out and getting their heads bashed in for a better Pakistan. Asma Jahangir More Quotes by Asma Jahangir More Quotes From Asma Jahangir The United Nations is an organizational body where people, through their Governments, come together; and it can be the only place where there can be a melting pot. Asma Jahangir governmenttogetherpeople When there is oppression and dictatorship, by not speaking out, we lose our dignity. Asma Jahangir loseoppressiondignitydictatorship Terrorism does not disappear with revenge tactics but through making justice and equality before law a reality. Asma Jahangir equalityterrorismrevengejustice I have protection. I have police protection. I have personal bodyguards. I have three sets of them. But believe me, this is really psychological for the family. If they want to get me, they can get me. And every time that I have been saved, it's been by coincidence. Asma Jahangir mefamilytimebelieve In bonded labour cases, judges would ask me why I had brought those people to the courts who stank. 'You are here precisely for them,' I would respond. Asma Jahangir judgesmeyoupeople Terrorism and religious extremism are huge challenges. They go hand in glove. Asma Jahangir handgoterrorismchallenges The world has to have zero tolerance for naked dictatorship. Asma Jahangir tolerancenakeddictatorshipworld Even when we talked about child labor, we were frowned upon. But then you know that you have to speak the truth irrespective of the repercussions. Asma Jahangir childyouspeaktruth General Zia-ul-Haq, a dictator and unscrupulous political actor, used Islam as a pretext for waging war in Afghanistan and adopting an aggressive stance towards India. By advancing a more orthodox version of Islam, he was able to hold on to a repressive regime and quell any opposition. Asma Jahangir islamindiapoliticalwar We are so resilient as a people. I have so much respect for their dignity and courage. I hope the world sees this side of Pakistan, one where professionals want a democracy. The spirit of our intelligentsia cannot be broken. Asma Jahangir respectdemocracyhopecourage I am certainly not a martyr kind of a person. I love my life. But if one has to, then there is nothing more nobler a cause that I can think of. Asma Jahangir i-ammy-lifelovelife Everything is a risk in Pakistan: If you defend women, it's a risk. If you defend non-Muslims it's a risk. If you discuss religion, it's a risk. But you can't really sit there like a vegetable in your own society. And I'm committed to that society... and I feel I need to turn around and speak as I should. Asma Jahangir youwomensocietyreligion There was a time that human rights was not even an issue in this country. Then prisoners' rights became an issue. Asma Jahangir humanhuman-rightstimecountry If state protects the rights of people, they start respecting the state. Asma Jahangir statestartrightspeople The way my father worked altruistically and the manner in which he used to go behind bars and come back home smilingly was inspirational. Asma Jahangir homeinspirationalfatherway The Army is into every business in this country. Except hairdressing. Asma Jahangir exceptarmybusinesscountry I think I have lived enough in this country where I can say what I think is true and which is the voice of my conscience. Asma Jahangir thinki-canvoicecountry I cannot bear to live where there is so much injustice and I cannot do something about it. What kind of a torturous life is that? Asma Jahangir livesomethinginjusticelife There have always been difficult situations for activists in Pakistan. In the 1960s, people fought for linguistic and ethnic rights in relation to the Bangladesh movement and the struggle of the people in the western Balochistan province. Asma Jahangir alwaysdifficultstrugglepeople I would simply not compromise on the fundamental rights of people. Asma Jahangir simplycompromiserightspeople
