Three cheers for Asma Jahangir

Asma Jahangir former Supreme Court Bar Association SCBA President noted lawyer and human rights activist is being hounded by the Pakistani Urdu press these days The reason for another malicious campaign against Ms Jahangir is simply the fact that her name was included in the list of nominees for the next caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan by the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz PMLN Just because the PMLN has included her name in a list does not mean she will actually become the caretaker PM but her detractors cannot even digest the fact that her name is being considered for this post Asma Jahangir is regarded as a personal hero by many which is why she has made a lot of enemies especially in the military establishment Pakistan TehreekeInsaf PTI chief Imran Khan has also rejected the appointment of Ms Jahangir as caretaker PM because of her objective views on the Supreme Court and her supposed attachment with the Pakistan Peoplersquos Party PPP Mr Khan is ignoring the fact that the same Asma Jahangir has fought for the independence of judiciary all her life Just because she has been objective about the judiciaryrsquos political role and some controversial decisions does not mean she is undermining the judiciary in any way In fact her wellmeaning objections are based on the fact that these actions by the judiciary will undermine the dignity of the courts But those who have blinkers on their eyes will always be afraid of those who have principles and will not be swayed by threats Yesterday Ms Jahangir Asma_Jahangir tweeted ldquoMy freedom of speech thought and independence is far more important to me than any office Is that so frightening hellip Progressive Pakistanis do not need offices to fight narrowmindedness We learnt the hard way Respond to vulgarity with reason and factsrdquo Ms Jahangir is right She really does not need any office because even without one her stature is so high that her voice is heard all over the world Asma Jahangir is an icon and regarded as a personal hero by many which is why she has made a lot of enemies as well especially amongst the military establishment rightwing fundamentalists and some in the judiciary It is because of her bold stance over the years that she has ruffled so many feathers Propaganda campaigns against Ms Jahangir are not new Despite her enemies maligning her name on many an occasion she has never backed down She will always be lauded for being a person of integrity and one of the bravest souls in Pakistan if not the bravest Now that a democratically elected government in Pakistan is about to complete its tenure for the first time in our history and the next elections are only a few months away there are many forces out to undermine the democratic system We saw it during Dr TahirulQadrirsquos lsquoLong Marchrsquo and in his antidemocratic demands Other powerful actors are behind these moves If there is one person who will be able to resist these moves during a caretaker setup it is Asma Jahangir There is certainly no doubt about it because she has never supported any military dictator and has always fought for democracy For the women of Pakistan the inclusion of Asma Jahangirrsquos name in the caretaker PM nomination list is a landmark in itself It would be the best thing to happen to Pakistan if Ms Jahangir becomes the caretaker PM and would be a great tribute to the long struggle she has waged for womenrsquos rights human rights democratic rights civilian supremacy etc Three cheers for Asma Jahangir a woman who makes us all proud to be Pakistanis The writer is a Pakistani journalist Reach her at mehmalsgmailcom