Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accompanied by his daughter Maryam visited the residence of human rights activist and prominent lawyer late Asma Jahangir here on Monday. Expressing grief and sorrow over the untimely demise of human rights icon, Nawaz offered condolences to the bereaved family and remembered the late contributions for the cause of humanity in golden words.
Nawaz paid tribute to Asma Jahangir's lifelong struggle for democracy and rule of law, and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul. Nawaz said: "She (Asma) was not only a prominent lawyer but also a kind-hearted woman who cared for the poor and marginalized. She always struggled for democracy and supremacy of law." The PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz on the occasion termed Asma Jahangir's sudden death "a huge loss for democracy, human rights and humanity." Paying tributes to Asma, Maryam said Asma Jahangir was a voice for the needy people who always stood for truth, rule of law and principles. She said: "Speaking the truth should not be labeled as criticism. There should be courage to speak the truth and it should not be considered as grudge."
On Monday, people hailing from different walks of life including politicians, lawyers, human rights activists, media men thronged her residence to pay respect to Asma Jahangir. Funeral of Asma Jahangir will be held today near Gaddafi stadium after Zohar prayers. Asma Jahangir received several awards and accolades during her life including the 2014 Right Livelihood Award, 2010 Freedom Award, Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2010 and Sitara-e-Imtiaz, UNESCO/Bilbao Prize for the Promotion of a Culture of Human Rights in 2010 and Officer de la Légion d'honneur in 2014 - France's highest award.