LAHORE; Prominent educationist, human rights activist, and poet Dr Arfa Sayeda Zehra passed away in Lahore on Monday at the age of 83. Her niece,
Ameena Kamal, confirmed her demise, saying that Dr Arfa will be laid to rest in her family graveyard at Cavalry Ground, Lahore, with funeral details to be announced later.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Dr Zehra, describing her death as an “irreparable loss” to Pakistan’s academic and literary community.
“Dr Arfa dedicated her life to education, research, and the service of humanity. Her scholarly contributions and efforts to promote the national language will always be remembered,” he said, offering condolences to her family, students, and colleagues.
Dr Arfa Sayeda Zehra was widely known for her mastery of Urdu literature and language and had a distinguished teaching career spanning more than five decades. She served as the chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) in 2006 and was previously one of its members.
Born and raised in Lahore, she earned her BA (Honours) from Lahore College for Women University, an MA in Urdu from Government College University, Lahore, and later completed her MA in Asian Studies and PhD in History from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Throughout her career, Dr Arfa served as a teacher and principal at LCWU, as well as teaching at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), National College of Arts (NCA), and the School of Public Policy. She also held the position of Meritorious Professor of History at Forman Christian College, Lahore, before resigning last year due to health concerns.
Her death marks the end of an era in Pakistan’s academic, literary, and intellectual circles.
