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

Categorized in : War Political India Islam

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

government together people

When there is oppression and dictatorship, by not speaking out, we lose our dignity.

Asma Jahangir

lose oppression dignity dictatorship

Terrorism does not disappear with revenge tactics but through making justice and equality before law a reality.

Asma Jahangir

equality terrorism revenge justice

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

me family time believe

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

judges me you people

Terrorism and religious extremism are huge challenges. They go hand in glove.

Asma Jahangir

hand go terrorism challenges

The world has to have zero tolerance for naked dictatorship.

Asma Jahangir

tolerance naked dictatorship world

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

child you speak truth

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

respect democracy hope courage

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-am my-life love life

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

you women society religion

There was a time that human rights was not even an issue in this country. Then prisoners' rights became an issue.

Asma Jahangir

human human-rights time country

If state protects the rights of people, they start respecting the state.

Asma Jahangir

state start rights people

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

lawyers i-am better proud

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

home inspirational father way

The Army is into every business in this country. Except hairdressing.

Asma Jahangir

except army business country

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

think i-can voice country

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

live something injustice life

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

always difficult struggle people

I would simply not compromise on the fundamental rights of people.

Asma Jahangir

simply compromise rights people