Pakistani human rights lawyer and social activist, Asma Jahangir, died of a cardiac arrest on Sunday in Lahore. She was 66. She was notable for her work in the human rights domain. She advocated for the rights of marginalised minority in Pakistan.

Asma Jahangir had a family history of social activist and human rights advocate. Her father, Malik Ghulam Jilani, was a civil servant and a prominent social activist in Pakistan. She started off her journey as human rights lawyer and used to advocate her father in the court who was arrested over voicing dissent to the military rule. She along with her sister Hina Zilani, other activists founded Women’s Action Forum (WAF) which campaigned against the draconian laws of the country. She also worked with the United Nations as Rapporteur on human rights in Iran. Her activism journey led her to founding the Pakistan’s Human Rights Commision and subsequently chairing it.

Her death was followed by sorrow and condolences from a large number of people which includes United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres. “She was a tireless advocate for inalienable rights of all people and for equality -- whether in her capacity as a Pakistani lawyer in the domestic justice system, as a global civil society activist, or as a Special Rapporteur. Asma was brilliant, deeply principled, courageous and kind.” Guterres said and added. “We’ve lost a human rights giant.”

Ms. Jahangir’s death came as a shock to people and the social media saw an outburst of emotions grieving the death of their “moral compass” a title she received from many.