Zubair Qureshi
While participating in a literary event, speakers discussed in detail literary contributions of Kishwar Nahid, one of the foremost Urdu feminist poets and a metaphor of resistance writing.
The launching ceremony of Nahid’s book “Buri Aurat Ki Doosri Katha” (Bad Woman’s Second Story) was organized by the Indus Forum of Writers and Intellectuals (IFWI) in collaboration with the National Press Club (NPC).
The ‘bad women’ of our times have an eloquent representation in the works of Kishwar Nahid as she challenged patriarchy, raised their voice against social injustices, inequalities and brutalities.
The book, a sequel to Nahid’s autobiography Buri Aurat Ki Katha (bad woman’s story), puts the patriarchal society in the dock as it demonizes women in the name of customs, religion and ‘honour’ to subjugate and oppress them.
Pakistan’s iconic figure in Rural Support Programmes Shoaib Sultan Khan in his presidential address praised the poet, saying her books opened his eyes about women empowerment in a real sense.
Senator Krishna Kumari said the book was a slap on the face of those retrogressive forces who oppose women’s right to work, education and equal space.
Wajahat Masaud recalled I. A. Rahman’s quote that a democratic society could not be established without the emancipation and participation of women.
Dr Nazir Mahmood said Ms Nahid’s new book is an account of her struggles through life as a young poet and the challenges.
Short story writer Nayyar Iqbal also called Kishwar Nahid a role model and a strong voice for the rights of women and under-privileged classes.
Painter and activist Samar Minallah said Nahid’s poetry is the source of inspiration and a beacon in the darkness for women and girls.
Kishwar Nahid expressed her gratitude to the organisers and speakers for arranging the event to share love, adding that she was disturbed with rising extremism in society.