LAHORE – Dr Arfa Sayeda Zehra, one of Pakistan’s most respected educationists, historians, and advocates for women’s rights, passed away on Sunday.
She was widely admired for her lifelong commitment to education, intellectual discourse, and social reform.
Dr Zehra obtained her Ph.D. in History from the University of Hawaiʻi, after completing her studies at Lahore College for Women University and Government College University, Lahore. She served as the Principal of Lahore College for Women and Government College for Women, Gulberg, before joining Forman Christian College University as Professor Emeritus.
A distinguished scholar of Urdu literature and intellectual history, Dr Zehra devoted her career to strengthening Pakistan’s academic standards and cultural consciousness. She held the UNESCO Chair in Cultural Heritage, where she championed the preservation of Pakistan’s literary and philosophical legacy.
In recognition of her leadership and vision, Dr Zehra was appointed Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on Education and National Cohesion and also served as Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women.
Known for her eloquence and fearless advocacy, Dr Zehra consistently spoke on issues of women’s empowerment, social justice and ethical governance. Her lectures and writings encouraged generations to embrace education as a means of personal growth and national development.
