–Robina Parveen’s relatives say her brothers took over ancestral house, kicked her out
LAHORE: An old poetess is leading a miserable life while being forced to live in a makeshift shanty near the Chauburji area police station of the provincial capital.
As per the details, 50-year-old Robina Parveen, a distinguished poet of her time, has established a shanty under the gigantic pillars of the metro bus near the Chauburji Chowk, where shreds of old newspapers and some edibles can be seen. According to her, she has been living in this condition for the past four years.
Residents claim that her mental health is deteriorating every day and it has been observed that she is unable to speak properly anymore.
“Some influential people have forcefully occupied my printing press in Shamnagar area of the city. I have been knocking the doors of courts for the past 30 years but to no avail. The courts have failed to vacate my printing press,” she said while speaking to Pakistan Today.
“I am here on my own. Some shopkeepers from a nearby market provide me with meals twice a day. Some passersby also help me financially at times but no one from the poet community I once belonged to ever bothered helping me,” said the pale-faced poetess.
A relative of Robina, on the condition of anonymity, said that her brothers had occupied her ancestral house. “Her brothers are the ones who have forced her to lead such a miserable life. First, they occupied her house then forced her to leave. Robina got married twice but unfortunately both her marriages failed,” they said, urging the media and courts to help Robina.
Speaking to Pakistan Today, poetess Farah Shah lamented that the authorities concerned had left Robina in such a condition and said that she would do her best for Robina’s well-being. Farah said she had recently visited Robina at her shanty and insisted her to abandon it. She also said that she advised her to move into some government-run shelter.
Senior journalist Malik Aslam expressed shock over the miserable condition of the poetess and told this scribe how she used to participate in poetry events at venues such as Alhamra and Chopal along with other renowned poets.
He appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and Cultural Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan to take notice of Robina’s deplorable condition and arrange a shelter for her besides providing her with a monthly stipend so that she can live a life of dignity.