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Dr. Arfa Sayeda Zehra, a prominent Pakistani educationist, poet, and human rights activist, passed away in Lahore on Monday at the age of 83. Her niece, Ameena Kamal, confirmed her death and stated that Dr. Zehra will be buried in the family graveyard at Cavalry Ground, Lahore. The exact time of the funeral will be announced later.

Dr. Zehra dedicated her life to education, research, and the promotion of Urdu language and literature. She was widely respected for her deep knowledge and her contributions to Pakistan’s academic and literary fields. She inspired generations of students through her teaching, writing, and activism.

Throughout her career, Dr. Zehra held several significant academic and administrative roles. She served as a teacher and principal at Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), as well as at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), National College of Arts, and the School of Public Policy. She also taught history as a meritorious professor at Forman Christian College in Lahore, resigning last year due to health reasons.

In addition to her academic work, Dr. Zehra contributed to public service. She was a member of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) and served as its chairperson in 2006. Her leadership and guidance helped promote women’s rights and education in Pakistan.

Dr. Zehra was born and raised in Lahore. She earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) with honours from LCWU, a Master of Arts (MA) in Urdu from Government College University, and further advanced her studies abroad with an MA in Asian Studies and a PhD in History from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her research and scholarship enriched Pakistan’s academic landscape and strengthened the study of Urdu literature and history.

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