Asma Jahangir

“I've been jailed once, put in police lock-up twice, and was under house arrest twice.”

“Good or bad people can be democratically elected, but it is always easy to fight for human rights under this system.”

“There used to be very few women in prisons, but this changed with the introduction of the hudood laws.”

“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.”

“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.”

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

“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.”

“We may fight terrorism through brute force, but the terror that is unleashed in the name of religion can only be challenged through moral courage.”

“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?”

“Duplicity in matters of religion is not confined to Pakistan, but it hurts the most in societies where debate on religion is asphyxiated and preachers of hate have become keepers of faith.”

“We have the tendency of over-legislation regarding women.”

“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.”

“We never learnt the right lessons. We never went to the root of the problem. Once you start politicising religion, you play with fire and get burnt as well. Another lesson we did not learn is that Muslims are not homogenous.”

“The world has to have zero tolerance for naked dictatorship.”