Web Desk: The annual Asma Jahangir Conference, a prominent forum on constitutionalism and human rights, opened in Lahore this week amid controversy after a participant used inappropriate language during a speech by Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah.
The conference, held each year in memory of late rights activist Asma Jahangir, regularly draws politicians, lawyers, civil society figures and human rights advocates. This year’s gathering featured speeches on governance, civil liberties, and rule of law.
Tensions surfaced when Rana Sanaullah, speaking from the stage, referred to sensitive issues related to governance and public accountability. During his address, an audience member interrupted him using offensive language, briefly disrupting the session.
Despite the interruption, Sanaullah continued his remarks without raising his voice or engaging with the heckler. Witnesses said the adviser responded with restraint, urging patience and dialogue rather than confrontation.
“You cannot listen, and when exposed, you react this way,” Sanaullah said, according to attendees, before resuming his speech. Organizers later moved to restore order, allowing the session to proceed.
Participants noted that the adviser’s calm response helped prevent the incident from escalating further, even as the interruption drew criticism from sections of the audience.
The Asma Jahangir Conference has long been a platform for robust debate and dissent. However, it has also faced criticism in past years over heated exchanges and confrontations between speakers and attendees.
This year’s event included addresses by political figures, legal experts, and rights activists, reflecting a wide spectrum of views on Pakistan’s political and social challenges.
Organizers did not immediately comment on the incident but reiterated their commitment to maintaining respectful discourse during conference sessions.
