I had been very impressed with the courts we visited to see my father. The judges wearing wigs, the lawyers, the legal arguments - it was all exciting stuff for a kid.

In this quote, Asma Jahangir reflects on her early impressions of the legal system, particularly her experiences visiting the courts to see her father. As a child, she was fascinated by the formalities and structure of the courtroom, which included the judges wearing wigs, the presence of lawyers, and the intense legal arguments that took place. Jahangir’s enthusiasm for the legal process, even at a young age, highlights her curiosity and admiration for the rule of law.

The mention of judges wearing wigs is a reference to a traditional aspect of the legal system, particularly in countries like the United Kingdom and Pakistan, where this custom is still practiced in certain courts. For Jahangir, these formal aspects of the courtroom likely represented the authority and gravity of the judicial process, making it all the more captivating for a child who was seeing it for the first time.

Jahangir’s statement also speaks to the excitement and intrigue that the legal arguments in court generated for her. The back-and-forth nature of legal discourse, where lawyers present their cases and judges evaluate the evidence, would have been an engaging spectacle. This fascination with the legal system may have laid the foundation for her later work as a human rights activist and lawyer, where she would continue to be involved in issues of justice and legal advocacy.

Ultimately, the quote reveals how Asma Jahangir's early exposure to the legal world, through her father’s involvement in the system, sparked a lifelong interest in law and justice. Her childhood awe at the courtroom experience reflects the powerful impression that the legal profession and its processes can leave on individuals, particularly those exposed to it from a young age.