Asma Jahangir Quotes
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There used to be very few women in prisons, but this changed with the introduction of the hudood laws.
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In 1986, Pakistan got the blasphemy law. So, while we had just two cases of blasphemy before that year, now we have thousands. It shows that one should be careful while bringing religion into legislation, because the law itself can become an instrument of persecution.
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Crime takes place in every country. But it becomes abuse when the state is unwilling and unable to protect the life and honour of its citizens.
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The Musharraf government has declared martial law to settle scores with lawyers and judges. Hundreds of innocent Pakistanis have been rounded up. Human rights activists, including women and senior citizens, have been beaten by police. Judges have been arrested and lawyers battered in their offices and the streets.
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The way my father worked altruistically and the manner in which he used to go behind bars and come back home smilingly was inspirational.
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I suppose anyone who calls a dictator a dictator is 'dangerous' and 'imbalanced.'
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There are some societies where women are not even allowed to drive a car, and that restriction is based in the name of religion and tradition. There are other countries where a woman can be punished if she does not cover her head.
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I don't need a certificate of my patriotism from those in the establishment.
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A really responsible court will never give an order it knows will not be implemented.
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As a lawyer, many a time I took up difficult and sensitive cases dealing with minorities' and women's rights. Yes, I constantly receive threats, and to be very honest, at times it is very scary. But I have to continue my work.
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I had to face imprisonment and house arrests, but it made me tougher.
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I'm not fearful for myself, because I've seen adversity, and I can see it again. But I feel very upset and anguished when I see images of young lawyers beaten up.
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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.
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Terrorism and religious extremism are huge challenges. They go hand in glove.
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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.
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I had been very impressed with the courts we visited to see my father. The judges wearing wigs, the lawyers, the legal arguments - it was all exciting stuff for a kid.
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It is not easy for the courts to control the intelligence agencies. There has to be concerted and coordinated effort on part of the courts, the parliament, and the government.
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Attempts are being made to turn Pakistan into a security state. If they succeed they should better rename it 'ISIstan.'
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Musharraf's government has a civilian face - there are still elections and assemblies - and he has come to believe his own propaganda that he really is a democrat.
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When General Musharraf took over, the Bar Association was among the first of some of the institutions that said they would not accept the Musharraf regime.
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We eat, drink, and sleep religion, but we do not do good.
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Every religion curbs women rights to some extent. Some countries acted against religions and put a ban on wearing hijab, which was also a violation of human rights.
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A woman's whole life is spent making chicken curry while her husband works. Then, any time he likes, he can kick her out.
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To set a trap for a handful of promiscuous individuals, the Zina law has laid a minefield for women in difficult circumstances.