Women’s Day: Habib Jalib remembered

Journalist Azhar Jafri was also honoured as part of the celebrations.

LAHORE: The Women’s Action Forum (WAF) honoured poet Habib Jalib and journalist Azhar Jafri at the Lahore Press Club on Monday as a part of National Women’s Day (February 12) celebrations. Human rights activist Tamkanat Kareem said they were paying a tribute to Jalib for his struggle for the restoration of democracy, human rights and women’s rights. Tahira Jalib, Habib Jalib’s daughter, received the award on her father’s behalf. She also read his poem Dastoor in his style. Human rights activist Lalarukh received Jafri’s award. WAF will organise a public demonstration from Regal Chowk to the Lahore High Court on February 12 to commemorate the bravery of women who had struggled for an egalitarian, democratic and progressive society. In 1983, on this day, more than 200 WAF members had marched from Hall Road to the LHC to protest against amendments to the law of evidence in rape cases and were beaten by police. Habib Jalib had participated in the demonstration and supported the cause.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11^th, 2014.