By Muhammad Luqman
Thousands of people thronged to Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore on Tuesday to attend the funerals of human rights activist and eminent lawyer, Asma Jahangir. Religious scholar Hyder Farooq Maudoodi led the funeral prayers at LCCA Ground adjacent to the Gaddafi Stadium. In contrast to orthodox Islamic traditions, a number of women also attended the funeral prayers of the late human rights activist. Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani, former foreign minister Khursheed Mahmood Kasuri, Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Mir Hasil Bijenjo, Justice Nasira Iqbal (retd), Chief Justice Lahore High Court Moahammad Yawar Ali were among those attended the prayers. Earlier, her body was shifted from hospital to her Hali Road residence in upscale Gulberg district of Lahore where close relatives and family members cast a last and farewell glance at her. People in large number including members of her family, fellows, politicians, and media personnel arrived at her residence before the funeral. As per her will, Asma Jahangir will be laid to rest at her farmhouse located at Bedian Road, outside Lahore. Asma Jahangir had died of cardiac arrest on Sunday in Lahore. She was 66. She was the first woman to become President of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan, besides heading the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
