Pakistan has lost one of its most respected intellectuals and human rights activists, Arfa Sayeda Zehra, who passed away on November 10, 2025, at the age of 88. Her death has left a deep void in the country’s academic, cultural, and social landscape.
Born on June 22, 1937, Arfa Sayeda Zehra was widely admired for her wisdom, simplicity, and lifelong commitment to education and equality. She began her academic journey at Lahore College for Women University, continued at Government College University, and later earned higher degrees from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Throughout her career, Dr. Zehra played many important roles. She served as the Special Adviser to the Prime Minister for Education and National Harmony Affairs, Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women, and even as a caretaker provincial minister of Punjab.
She also taught for many years and became Professor Emeritus of History at Forman Christian College, where generations of students admired her for her intellect and compassion.
Known for her deep understanding of Urdu language and literature, Arfa Sayeda Zehra was a regular speaker at language conferences and TV forums, where she shared her thoughts on society, culture, and education with unmatched grace.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief over her passing, calling it an “irreparable loss” for Pakistan. He praised her lifelong service to humanity and her remarkable contribution to education and intellectual growth.
Her legacy will live on through her words, her students, and the countless people she inspired to believe in education, equality, and the power of knowledge.