Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) Chief Executive Mujahid Pervaiz on Wednesday took notice of Habib Jalib’s daughter’s hefty electricity bill amounting to Rs 75,000. According to a LESCO spokesperson, “The LESCO chief executive has called for a transparent investigation and said that all necessary help will be provided to her.” LESCO had sent legendary poet Habib Jalib’s daughter an electricity bill amounting to Rs75,000. A resident of Mustafa Town in Lahore, Tahira Habib Jalib lives in a 2.5 marla house with her sisters and children. Speaking to a private television channel, Tahira said, “I am the sole bread-winner of the family and I drive a car to earn money.” “The car that I am driving is brought on loan,” she shared. Referring to political leaders who use her father’s poetry in their political messages, Tahira said, “These leaders use my father’s prose in their speeches but they do not take notice of the troubles faced by his children.” Born as Habib Ahmed, Jalib was born on March 24, 1928, in Hoshiarpur village. He migrated to Pakistan after partition and worked as a proof-reader for an Urdu daily, Daily Imroze in Karachi. Writing in the language of the common man, his work and message were understood by all social classes. He became a voice against dictators. When Jalib passed away in 1993, his family had refused to accept the government’s offer of bearing funeral expenses. His family has often complained of government apathy; they claim they started receiving the royalty for his book 20 years after his death. Published in Daily Times, October 19th 2018.