LAHORE:
Habib Jalib’s death anniversary passed quietly on March 12. He was a literary man who belonged to the rare breed that listens to its conscience and is not willing to compromise on its principles. His honesty and commitment to what he believed in became his handicap because it angered those for whom coming to power only meant gaining fame and wealth and that is why he spent seven long years in prison.
Jalib believed in democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and freedom with equal opportunities for all citizens, without any discrimination as to caste, creed, gender, faith, race or colour. He believed that it was obligatory for the state to protect and cater for the welfare of the most deprived. He served a prison term under Ayub Khan on fake charges of attempted murder for opposing his martial law and supporting Fatima Jinnah, while Zulfikar Ali Bhutto incarcerated him for ten months for opposing his military action in Balochistan. He opposed Yahya Khan’s dictatorial rule and debauchery and defiantly criticised Ziaul Haq. Jalib will always be remembered for standing up to tyrannical rule and his revolutionary poetry. He shall forever live in the hearts of those who value freedom.
Malik Tariq Ali
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2013.
