Renowned columnist and social activist Amina Jilani passed away on Thursday in Karachi, a family friend confirmed to Dawn. She had been battling an unspecified illness for the past year.

Jilani, reportedly in her 80s, was known for her bold columns on the issues of corruption and bad governance in Pakistan. She was a committed human rights activist and worked passionately for the provision of justice in society.

She had in the past worked with the renowned columnist, the late Ardeshir Cowasjee. She was under the care of the Cowasjee family at the time of her demise and breathed her last at the house of Ardeshir Cowasjee in Bath Island, Clifton.

Jilani hailed from Bahawalpur, but had been educated in England and Germany and had later worked in France. She was well versed in several languages, including French and German.

She was most recently associated with The Express Tribune.