Asma Jehangir Pakistani Human rights activist in Pune
PUNE, 26 July 2007 —.
Whenever she comes to India and wherever she speaks, she draws large crowds: she is a great orator and Indians like to listen to a Pakistani pleading for friendly relations with India Speaking at a program organized by the Pune Union of Working Journalists here, Asma Jehangir, a Pakistani human rights activist, said free and fair elections in Pakistan were not possible until Musharraf quits.
Asma also criticized the Indian government for giving Musharraf a grand welcome during his Agra visit.
The human rights activist did not rule out the possibility of Musharraf imposing a state of emergency in the country. “The United States, which has supported Musharraf so far, should see the pro-democracy mood in Pakistan,” she remarked.
The human rights activist condemned the storming of the Red Mosque in Islamabad and the alleged indiscriminate use of force against students and militants inside. She asked how arms entered the mosque and who was financing the mosque’s authorities.
Saying that terrorism was a genuine threat, Asma claimed that Musharraf was “psychologically” finished and that the US may act according to the situation. She was very optimistic that former Prime Ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif would return to Pakistan to contest elections.
Interview with Asma Jehangir on the state of the civil movements across the border
How would you describe the human rights movement in Pakistan?
It is stunted. But then, what can you expect in dictatorship? There is constant pressure on the judicial system. The voice of those fighting for human causes is not heard. This will happen because the system is not participatory as seen in most democracies.
How can true democracy return? Aren't the citizens fed up with propaganda that does not suit them?
It is only the elite and feudal lords who think like this. But the ordinary Pakistani knows what he wants. He knows that if the country has to move forward then the yoke of military dictatorship has to be thrown out. They also know that it is not the easy way out. And they are fighting it daily.
What about the inhuman laws which still continue to govern Pakistani women?
Inhuman laws like Karo Kari (constitutes honour killings) and Hadood Ordinance, in which a rape case requires the evidence of four adult male Muslims in order for the penalty of hadood to be imposed upon the accused, continue to exist. But now, some MPs like Sherry Rehman from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) have been talking of reforms.
How much impact you think the people's exchanges across the border can have on civil movements?
We can learn so much from each other. Indians can certainly take a tip or two from us on activism. Under a military regime,we certainly know how to beat the system and march.
However, the beginning is not yet made. Visas are denied and TV channels continued to be banned...
There is a problem. We have tried to bring several artists from India. Motivate singers like Lata Mangeshkar to come to Pakistan. Let me assure you that if she does that, there would be a riot across the border!
Courtesy Arab News and Times of India
Whenever she comes to India and wherever she speaks, she draws large crowds: she is a great orator and Indians like to listen to a Pakistani pleading for friendly relations with India Speaking at a program organized by the Pune Union of Working Journalists here, Asma Jehangir, a Pakistani human rights activist, said free and fair elections in Pakistan were not possible until Musharraf quits.
Asma also criticized the Indian government for giving Musharraf a grand welcome during his Agra visit.
The human rights activist did not rule out the possibility of Musharraf imposing a state of emergency in the country. “The United States, which has supported Musharraf so far, should see the pro-democracy mood in Pakistan,” she remarked.
The human rights activist condemned the storming of the Red Mosque in Islamabad and the alleged indiscriminate use of force against students and militants inside. She asked how arms entered the mosque and who was financing the mosque’s authorities.
Saying that terrorism was a genuine threat, Asma claimed that Musharraf was “psychologically” finished and that the US may act according to the situation. She was very optimistic that former Prime Ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif would return to Pakistan to contest elections.
Interview with Asma Jehangir on the state of the civil movements across the border
How would you describe the human rights movement in Pakistan?
It is stunted. But then, what can you expect in dictatorship? There is constant pressure on the judicial system. The voice of those fighting for human causes is not heard. This will happen because the system is not participatory as seen in most democracies.
How can true democracy return? Aren't the citizens fed up with propaganda that does not suit them?
It is only the elite and feudal lords who think like this. But the ordinary Pakistani knows what he wants. He knows that if the country has to move forward then the yoke of military dictatorship has to be thrown out. They also know that it is not the easy way out. And they are fighting it daily.
What about the inhuman laws which still continue to govern Pakistani women?
Inhuman laws like Karo Kari (constitutes honour killings) and Hadood Ordinance, in which a rape case requires the evidence of four adult male Muslims in order for the penalty of hadood to be imposed upon the accused, continue to exist. But now, some MPs like Sherry Rehman from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) have been talking of reforms.
How much impact you think the people's exchanges across the border can have on civil movements?
We can learn so much from each other. Indians can certainly take a tip or two from us on activism. Under a military regime,we certainly know how to beat the system and march.
However, the beginning is not yet made. Visas are denied and TV channels continued to be banned...
There is a problem. We have tried to bring several artists from India. Motivate singers like Lata Mangeshkar to come to Pakistan. Let me assure you that if she does that, there would be a riot across the border!
Courtesy Arab News and Times of India
posted by deepamariam @ 8:06 AM
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