Renowned educationist and distinguished Urdu scholar Dr. Arfa Sayeda Zehra has passed away. She had been serving as a professor of history at Forman Christian College for many years, and earlier she also held the position of principal at Lahore College for Women University, where she contributed significantly to the advancement of higher education.
Dr. Arfa Sayeda Zehra also served as a caretaker provincial minister in Punjab, in addition to holding the important office of Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women. During her tenure, she played a prominent role in policy matters related to women’s rights and social development.
She completed her master’s degree in Urdu from Government College Lahore and later earned her doctoral degree in history from the East-West Center, University of Hawaii. From 1986 to 2009, she served as the principal of the Government College for Women, Gulberg, Lahore, where her administrative abilities and educational leadership were widely acknowledged. Fluent in seven languages, she remained an active member of various educational, administrative, social, and cultural committees.
The late scholar possessed deep insight into the Urdu language, literature, and South Asian societal issues. The President of Pakistan, along with literary and academic circles, expressed profound grief over her demise. President Asif Ali Zardari, in his condolence message, said that the passing of Dr. Arfa Sayeda Zehra is an irreparable loss for Pakistan’s academic and literary community.
President Zardari further stated that Dr. Arfa Sayeda Zehra devoted her entire life to knowledge, research, and the service of humanity, setting an inspiring example for future generations. He added that her academic contributions and efforts for the promotion of the national language will always be remembered.
