A biography for Asma Jahangirhasn’t been written yet.
“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.”
“Terrorism does not disappear with revenge tactics but through making justice and equality before law a reality.”
“My family has equally suffered abductions, attacks and life threats, but I have continued my struggle for justice.”
“I don't care what America and Africa think; I am only concerned that the people of this country should be saved from its Army.”
“The interaction between human rights campaigners from Pakistan and India was a big taboo in the 1980s. When we started traveling to India to increase people-to-people contact between the two nations, we knew that we would face serious repercussions back home.”
“The state has not only the obligation to stay neutral in matters of religion but also to ensure that freedom of thought and conscience of all individuals is protected.”
“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.”
“A woman's whole life is spent making chicken curry while her husband works. Then, any time he likes, he can kick her out.”
“The way my father worked altruistically and the manner in which he used to go behind bars and come back home smilingly was inspirational.”
“Agencies must know who they are accountable to. If the agencies know who they are accountable to but we cannot say who they are accountable to, then really it is a very sad situation that is bound to be misused. It is bound to affect human rights.”
“Divorce is the cheapest thing in Pakistan. About 30 cents. Cheaper than fish and chips. I've had clients married to very rich men for 40 years, then turned out on the road with nothing.”
“My father was jailed off and on for seven years.”
“I am so proud of Pakistanis and specifically of our lawyers for speaking out and getting their heads bashed in for a better Pakistan.”
“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.”
“There was a time that human rights was not even an issue in this country. Then prisoners' rights became an issue.”
“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.”
“The Army is into every business in this country. Except hairdressing.”
“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.”
“If your people don't really believe or respect you, if you don't have the moral authority to rule, then your goose is cooked.”
“Women's rights was thought of as a Western concept. Now people do talk about women's rights - political parties talk about it, even religious parties talk about it.”