LAHORE – Dr. Arfa Sayeda Zehra, one of Pakistan’s most esteemed educationists and social reformers, passed away on Monday, leaving a significant void in the country’s intellectual and social landscape. Known for her unwavering commitment to education, women’s rights, and cultural preservation, Dr. Zehra’s contributions shaped Pakistan’s academic and public discourse for decades.
After completing her Ph.D. in History from the University of Hawaiʻi, Dr. Zehra held key academic positions, including Principal of Lahore College for Women and Government College for Women, Gulberg. She later became Professor Emeritus at Forman Christian College, specialising in Urdu literature and intellectual history.
Dr. Zehra also served as Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on Education and National Cohesion and chaired the National Commission on the Status of Women. She held a UNESCO Chair in Cultural Heritage, promoting the safeguarding of Pakistan’s literary and intellectual traditions.
Celebrated for her courage and thought-provoking insights, she encouraged public reflection on social justice, ethical governance, and women’s empowerment. Her lectures, writings, and public engagements inspired generations to value education, civic responsibility, and cultural awareness, leaving an enduring legacy of intellectual excellence and social reform.