Quotes from Asma Jahangir

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.

A woman's whole life is spent making chicken curry while her husband works. Then, any time he likes, he can kick her out.

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.

The world has to have zero tolerance for naked dictatorship.

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

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.

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

I am so proud of Pakistanis and specifically of our lawyers for speaking out and getting their heads bashed in for a better Pakistan.

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.

One example that has hurt me is that of Aung San Suu Kyi. I admire her a lot, but her unwillingness to protect the Rohingiya Muslims shows how intolerance has seeped into politics and the level at which it has seeped. It immobilises politicians.

Organized groups claiming roots in religious ideologies have unleashed an all-pervasive fear of mob violence in many parts of the country.

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.

When the Bangladesh war happened, people in Pakistan who did not support it were called unpatriotic. My father was in the jail at that time, and a lot of those who knew my family used to call us children of a traitor.

Crime takes place in every country. But it becomes abuse when the state is unwilling and unable to protect the life and honour of its citizens.

People send their kids to law school to uphold the rule of law - not to fight in the streets for justice and not to be beaten up.

I'm not fearful for myself, because I've seen adversity, and I can see it again. But I feel very upset and anguished when I see images of young lawyers beaten up.

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.

She is absolutely inspiring. Malala is a vindication of our struggle.

Yes, I am very unhappy, extremely anguished at human rights violations against Kashmiris in India or against Rohingyas in Burma or, for that matter, Christians in Orissa; but obviously, I am going to be more concerned of violations taking place in my own house because I am closer to the people who I live with. I have more passion for them.

The Army is into every business in this country. Except hairdressing.

While speaking in the NA, one must maintain respect.