LAHORE: Dr Arfa Syeda Zehra, an educationist, human rights activist, and a leading exponent of Urdu language and literature, passed away in Lahore on Monday at the age of 82 after a prolonged illness.

Born in Lahore on July 10, 1943, she had been under treatment at Sheikh Zayed Hospital. According to her family, her funeral will be held on Tuesday (today) at Jamia Masjid Askari 5.

Dr Zehra earned her PhD in History from the University of Hawaii, USA, in 1983, where she also completed her Master’s in Asian Studies the same year.

She obtained her Master’s degree in Urdu from Government College, Lahore, in 1964, and her BA (Hons) from Lahore College for Women in 1963.

She served as a professor in the History Department at Forman Christian College and was also the chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women.

From 2002 to 2005, she was a member of the Punjab Public Service Commission, and from 1989 to 2002, she served as the principal of Government College for Women, Gulberg.

Human rights activist

Dr Zehra was also a renowned human rights activist and scholar.

She had served as special adviser to the prime minister on education and national harmony affairs during the caretaker set-up in 2023.

Recognised for her deep understanding of Urdu language and literature, Dr Zehra specialised in intellectual history and South Asian social issues.

Beyond academia, she was a familiar presence at literary conferences and on television forums.

Dr Zehra was widely admired in literary circles for her command of Urdu and her passionate advocacy for its continued use.

She championed access to books and called for a “literary revolution” among Pakistan’s youth to revive national pride in their language. She often spoke about how classism and colonialism had shaped perceptions of Urdu and its speakers.

Her literary influences included Ghalib and Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.

Widespread grief was expressed across Lahore’s literary community following her passing. Razi Ahmed, chairman of the board of governors of the Lahore Arts Council, and Mehboob Alam, its executive director, paid tribute to her contributions.

The family of the late revolutionary poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz also issued a statement, saying: “The Faiz family is deeply saddened by the loss of a towering public intellectual and indefatigable crusader for women’s rights, closely associated with the work of the Faiz Foundation.” Literary figure Qasim Jaffri also recalled his memories of Dr Zehra, saying he first met her as a child since she was a friend of his elder sister. He remembered her as a great exponent of Urdu language and literature, blessed with a sharp memory and the ability to speak effortlessly on subjects ranging from literature to Sufism.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2025