SWABI: Bibi Zohra, a staunch supporter of Khudai Khidmatgar movement, breathed her last after protracted illness on Tuesday. She was 105.

She belonged to Maneri Bala and was the widow of late Firdous Khan Baba, a well-known Khudai Khidmatgar and the right hand of the founder of the movement Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, popularly known as Bacha Khan.

Held at Maneri Bala village football playground, her funeral prayer was attended by former ministers, parliamentarians, provincial leaders of various political parties, officials of both public and private organisations and people from all walks of life.

Bibi Zohra was mother of late Dr Mohammad Saleem Khan, former provincial health minister and founder of Swabi Qaumi Mahaz, leader of Awami National Party Mohammad Naeem Khan, retired Major Mohammad Faheem, and grandmother of former MPA and district general secretary of PML-N Babar Salim Khan, Dr Kamran Khan, Dr Saddam, and aunt of famous artist Gohar Jan and maternal grandmother of Dr Okasha Khan.

Her husband Firdous Khan was laid to rest Bacha Khan and Khan Abdul Wali. Her son Naeem Khan said that women of neighbourhood would hear interesting stories of Khudai Khidmatgar from her. She would tell them about contribution of women to the movement against British colonials.

He said that women would get educated about the organisation of Pakhtuns. The big advantage was that in every house both men and women were supporting Bacha Khan and his struggle with complete determination.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2025