From the daughter of a revolutionary poet to a roadside food seller, Tahira Habib Jalib’s struggle to make ends meet has sparked an outpouring of concern in Lahore.
Tahira, daughter of legendary Pakistani poet Habib Jalib, recently set up a homemade food cart near Model Town Market, selling dishes including biryani, pulao and dal chawal to support her children and sisters.
But within 24 hours, municipal authorities ordered her to dismantle the stall and leave, according to reports.
Tahira has also alleged that officials demanded money to allow her to continue operating, while saying her earlier request to the Lahore deputy commissioner for a formal food-cart permit received no response.
لاہور سے تعلق رکھنے والے عالمی شہرت یافتہ شاعر مرحوم حبیب جالب کی صاحبزادی طاہرہ اپنے ڈھابے ٹھیئے پر گھر سے بنا کر لائے ہوئے کھانے فروخت کر رہی ہیں، طاھرہ حبیب جالب کو لاھور کے اس مقام پر ڈھابہ لگانے سے روک دیا گیا#Pakistan #punjab #Lahore pic.twitter.com/YYNxWPXWfF
— Muhammad Kamran (@mkamran04) August 20, 2026
Her situation has drawn attention on social media, with many Pakistanis highlighting the irony that the daughter of a poet renowned for championing the poor is now struggling to earn a dignified livelihood.
Tahira has previously taken unconventional jobs to support her family. She worked as a private taxi driver after her mother’s government stipend was discontinued in 2014.
