Habib Jalib was born at a village near India’s Hoshiarpur on March 24, 1928. He migrated to Pakistan following the partition.
Jalib is among the most well known poets in the country who openly criticized martial law dictators and expressed democractic views through his literary works for which he was imprisoned several times. His social and political poetry addressed common people and issues.
He is remembered as ‘Shayir-e-Awam’ (people’s poet) and Shayir-e-Inqilab (poet of revolution) due to the rebellious nature of his poetry.
Jalib used to captivate the audiences with his unique style of poetry reciting.
A great political and social activist of his time, some of his famous literary works include “Zulmat Ko Zia”, “Watan ko Kuch Nahi Khatra”, “Main Ne Uss Se Yeh Kaha” and “Aisay Dastoor Ko”.
‘Dastoor’ was written against ex-field martial General Ayub Khan in the 60s while he criticized former army chief General Zia-ul-Haq in his poem ‘Zulmat ko Zia’ in the late 70s.
He passed away on 12 March 1993.
