PESHAWAR, March 13: Poets and writers here on Sunday paid tribute to Habib Jalib for his revolutionary poetry and participation in the struggle for achieving basic human rights for people and stability of democracy in the country.A function was organised by Pakistan Academy of Letters in connections with 18th death anniversary of poet Habib Jalib.

Saleem Raz, a known literary figure of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, presided over the function while known Hindko poet, writer and columnist Sabir Hussein Imdad was chief guest on the occasion.

Addressing the function, PAL provincial director Dr Mohammad Azam Azam said that Habib Jalib practically participated in the struggle for strengthening of democracy and achievement of basic human rights for the people in the country. He said that the late poet remained the voice of downtrodden and suppressed classes of society against the exploitative forces throughout his life.

Saleem Raz said that Habib Jalib was a big name in the resistive Urdu poetry. His work besides affecting the modern poetry of the language also had very positive and construction impact on the poetry of other languages, he added.

He said that Jalib waged an effective struggle for restoration of democracy during all military governments and rendered sacrifices including imprisonment. Prominent writers Professor Nasir Ali Syed, Professor Sattar Khan Lawagheri, Murtaza Khan Shaheen and Mohammad Ismail Awan threw light on the poetry and life of Habib Jalib.

They said that his ever green revolutionary poetry was not only used to warm up people in political meetings and processions, but was also a mean of guidance for the people. His revolutionary poetry was a precious national asset, they added.

They lauded provincial government for naming a square and a road of Hayatabad after Habib Jalib in recognition of his struggle and sacrifices for the people and the country. — APP