HARIPUR: The launching ceremony of ‘zindagi ka anokha safar’ (strange journey of life), an autobiography of noted social activist and Hindko poet Mohammad Taj aka Taj Lala, was held here on Sunday evening.

The ceremony was jointly organised by Anjuman Taraqi Pasand Musanifeen, Haripur chapter, and Babul Ilm Library.

Social activists, poets, lawyers, academia and family members of Taj Lala were in attendance. Ali Asghar Khan, PTI leader and younger brother of late Omar Asghar Khan, was guest of honour.

The 370-page biography is divided into three parts -- the first part deals with Lala’s early education, countryside culture, famous Hindko songs, tappay maheeay (a genre of local songs), local traditions and words that are near extinct. The second part depicts the 25-year-long struggle of Taj Lala as social activist.

In the third part, Taj Lala shares the details of his efforts for poverty reduction, social, political and economic rights of the citizens and how he was part of activities meant for social development from the platform of Sungi Foundation, where he served under direct supervision of late Omar Asghar Khan.

He also shared his memoirs of his foreign visits, his political struggle that started during the dictatorship of late Gen retired Ziaul Haq when he was fired from a job from Pakistan Ordinance Factory for staging protests and observing hunger strike for the rights of workers.

The speakers paid rich tribute to Taj Lala for his efforts for changing the life of common man and compiling the book on his life story.

HEARING ADJOURNED: The hearing into a boy’s molestation and video making case was adjourned till Tuesday (today) as the court proceedings remained suspended across the Hazara division following a call from Pakistan Bar Council to mourn the death of human rights activist Asma Jehangir.

The court of judicial magistrate Haripur Aftab Iqbal had to adjourn the hearing when the lawyers informed the court that their community was not attending the proceedings.

On the complaint of Tariq Khan, a resident of Sector No 1, Khalabat Township, the Khalabat Township police had registered a criminal case against Shehzad Shah, a constable of Elite Force, along with Ahmad Shams and Ashfaq for molesting his 14-year-old paternal nephew.

The accused, according to FIR, took the student to a rented room on Dhenda Road where they molested him and also captured the offense on mobile phone camera.

The police on Saturday night registered criminal case against the three alleged rapists and two other accused who allegedly attempted to blackmail the victim, under section 506, 511 and 377 of the PPC.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2018