As one of the few women to become a district public prosecutor in Pakistan, Asmat Perveen never wearies of working toward a peaceful future for her country. On behalf of the German Federal Foreign Office, GIZ is strengthening the know-how of the public prosecutor's office in the province of Punjab and its cooperation with the police. In three newly established training centres, most justice department staff members receive training in various aspects of the law, from forensics and judicial inquiry on up to the formulation of verdicts.
I have wanted to become a lawyer and investigate murder cases ever since I was a child. It has been a long road, and it meant a lot of work. As a woman, I often had to prove myself, too. But I was ambitious, and eventually I attained my present post as district prosecutor of Punjab province.
In my position I have been able to strengthen cooperation between the police and the public prosecutor and to build up viable connections between the two. GIZ trained me as a trainer: so far I have held training sessions in 31 district police stations. In the course of these trainings, I not only raised police awareness of the relevant laws but was also able to pass on my own experience.
Being a public prosecutor in Pakistan is a tough job – no doubt about that – and it is unusual for a woman. I have worked on drug and anti-terror trials in which the accused have attempted to intimidate or bribe me. You have to have the courage of a lion to confront the threats and hostility of hardened criminals so they know you mean it. The recognition and appreciation I get in conducting my training sessions gives me a lot of self-confidence
The inequality between men and women, and terrorism. Women continue to be at a disadvantage. They are denied the chance to work with men and according to the same terms. Thousands of innocent people are killed in terrorist attacks.
When justice prevails, our country, our society and the poor among us will have a better and a happier future. If our efforts toward this goal are sincere, and if we persist and do not give up, God willing, we will succeed.