Mohammad Jibran Nasir (Urdu: محمد جبران ناصر; born 10 February 1987) is a Pakistani lawyer, civil rights activist, and a political figure.[2][3] He is known for his work in advocating for social issues, especially his commitment to advancing human rights. His notable contributions to civil society encompass the establishment of the NGO "Never Forget Pakistan".

Mohammad Jibran Nasir
Born (1987-02-10) 10 February 1987 (age 37)
Occupations
  • Civil rights activist
  • lawyer
Spouse
(m. 2021)
[1]

Early life and education

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Nasir was born on 10 February 1987 in Karachi, Pakistan. He completed his O-Levels from Saint Michael's Convent School in Karachi, A-Levels from The Lyceum School in Karachi, and went to the University of London International Programme for Bachelor of Law (LLB Hons.). Later, he completed LLM in International Commercial Law from the University of Northumbria, UK.[4]

Activism

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He is a lawyer by profession[4] and is known for criticizing state policies regarding banned organisations in Pakistan and call attention to the need for protection of minorities.[5]

Nasir has been a trustee at Elaj Trust and involved in relief work through Elaj Trust.[6] He founded the NGO, Never Forget Pakistan[7] and is also involved in advocacy for marginalised communities through Pakistan For All.[8]

Nasir became prominent following the December 2014's Peshawar's school attack which led to 150 dead after he led the procession calling for the arrest of Lal Masjid cleric Abdul Aziz,[9][10][11] for which he subsequently received alleged threats from Taliban spokesman.[12]

He was noted by Foreign Policy Magazine amongst the three Pakistanis making considerable effort against sectarian violence.[13]

In January 2015, Nasir played a key role in organising a new movement to "Reclaim Pakistan" from violent extremism and played a major role in organising demonstrations carrying playcards and candles.[14][15] Nasir had been leading protests against terrorism in Pakistan, and was arrested on 5 February 2015 for protesting near the Chief Minister's residence along with other Civil Society activists.[16] Later on the same day, Nasir was released by the Karachi Police.[17] Following his release he addressed protesters gathered and reiterated his 15-day ultimatum to government for taking action against banned organizations.[18][19][20]

In 2017, Nasir filed a complaint with Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) alleging Aamir Liaquat Hussain in his TV show of running a defamatory and life-threatening campaign against him.[21][22] Following which PEMRA banned TV show of Aamir Liaquat.[23] Rawalpindi police also registered a case against Aamir Liaquat for threatening the life of Nasir.[24] Amnesty International in a letter to Interior Minister of Pakistan called on the government to take action to protect the lives and rights of activists including of Nasir due to harassment and threats by Aamir Liaquat.[25]

Political career

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Nasir ran for seat of the National Assembly of Pakistan and Provincial Assembly of Sindh as an independent candidate from Constituency NA-250 (Karachi-XII) and Constituency PS-113 (Karachi-XXV)[26][27][28] respectively in 2013 Pakistani general election, but was unsuccessful after securing a meager 259 votes for the NA seat. He lost the National Assembly seat to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's candidate Arif Alvi[29][30] and Sindh Assembly seat to Samar Ali Khan.[31] NA-250 was described as one of the most hotly contested seats for the National Assembly.[32] After the 2018 delimitation, the NA-250 constituency was renamed NA-247.[33]

In June 2018, he announced to contest in 2018 Pakistani general election as an independent candidate, for the seat of the National Assembly from Constituency NA-247 and for the seat of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh from Constituency PS-111.[34] His election campaign was titled "Hum Mein Se Aik".[35] Despite numerous publicity campaigns, he lost elections for both the national and provincial assembly seats by substantial margins.

He ran for the seat of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh from Constituency PS-111 as an independent candidate in by-election held on 21 October 2018, but was unsuccessful.[36]

References

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  1. ^ "Jibran Nasir and Mansha Pasha are married!". The Express Tribune (newspaper). 11 April 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Jibran Nasir — the alpha activist?". DAWN.COM. 23 December 2014. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  3. ^ "Jibran Nasir: The quiet lawyer and activist who is taking on". The Independent. 30 December 2014. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Hottie of the week: Jibran Nasir". Express Tribune. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  5. ^ "Indian experts suggest choosing Aitzaz Ahsan, Asma Jahangir, Ansar Burney, Jibran Nasir to defend Kulbhushan Jadhav". Daily Pakistan Global. 13 April 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  6. ^ "#HeatKaElaj: Elaj Trust campaigns for heatwave awareness across Karachi – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  7. ^ "UN chief lauds Pakistani peacekeepers contribution to world peace". DAWN.COM. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  8. ^ "The Road Less Travelled: Social leaders share their powerful stories at TEDxIBA". 12 December 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  9. ^ "Kulbhushan Jadhav death sentence: Top Pakistani lawyers India can hire to defend him". hindustantimes.com/. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  10. ^ Zaidi, Mosharraf. "The People Themselves Must Act Against the Pakistani Taliban". The New York Times.
  11. ^ Usman, Maryam (20 December 2014). "Civil society calls for Maulana Aziz's arrest". tribune.com.pk.
  12. ^ "Pakistan Fast Tracks Execution of Militants". New York Times. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  13. ^ Kugelman, Michael (14 November 2013). "Pakistanis Pushing back against Killing in God's Name". Foreignpolicy.com. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  14. ^ "Civil society rallies to 'reclaim' Pakistan – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 17 January 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  15. ^ Inamullah Khattak (23 December 2014). "Protest". The Nation (Nawaiwaqt group). Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  16. ^ DAWN (newspaper) (5 February 2015). "Jibran Nasir Arrested near CM house". Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  17. ^ Rafi, Yumna (5 February 2015). "Activist Jibran Nasir freed by police after arrest near CM House". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  18. ^ LUAVUT ZAHID (6 February 2015). "Civil society activists briefly held over anti-ASWJ protest". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  19. ^ Noman Ahmed & Munira Abbas (5 February 2015). "Protesting Shikarpur: Jibran Nasir, civil society activists released". The Express Tribune (with the International New York Times). Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  20. ^ Yumna Rafi (6 February 2015). "Activist Jibran Nasir freed by police after arrest near CM House". DAWN News. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  21. ^ "PEMRA bans Amir Liaquat over hate speech – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  22. ^ "Lawyer moves Pemra against TV host for making blasphemy allegations". DAWN.COM. 21 January 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  23. ^ "'Aisay Nahi Chalay Ga': Pemra slaps ban on Amir Liaquat after 'hate speech' on Bol News". DAWN.COM. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  24. ^ "Bol television defies Pemra ban on Aamir Liaquat's show". DAWN.COM. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  25. ^ "Amnesty Intl slams Pak govt for inaction on hateful content aired on TV". DAWN.COM. 1 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  26. ^ "Independents: longing to serve with no strings attached". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  27. ^ "A solid lapse in leadership". DAWN.COM. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  28. ^ "The youth vote: No jobs, no money, still hopeful?". DAWN.COM. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  29. ^ "NA-250 PTI candidate Arif Alvi wins". DAWN.COM. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  30. ^ Ahmed, Noman (20 April 2013). "Lawyer determined to give veteran politicians a tough time in NA-250". tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  31. ^ "2013 election result" (PDF). ECP. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  32. ^ "Karachi's political powerhouses to fight for NA-247 – Samaa TV". Samaa. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  33. ^ Ali, Imtiaz (4 July 2018). "Tough contest expected among key parties in NA-247". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  34. ^ "Rights activist Jibran Nasir to join election race". Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  35. ^ "Jibran Nasir's election anthem is out now". Images. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  36. ^ "Take two: By-polls conclude with little enthusiasm | The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.