Noted Pakistani feminist writer and poet Fahmida Riaz passes away at 72

Noted Pakistani feminist writer and poet Fahmida Riaz passed away on Wednesday night at the age of 72. According to a report published in Pakistani newspaper Dawn, Fahmida was suffering from illness for the past few months.

Riaz, a formidable figure of Pakistani literature, authored over a dozen books on poetry and fiction, and ran a publishing company. She translated the writings of Albanian writer Ismail Kadare and the Sufi poetry of Rumi into Urdu.

Riaz was also a human rights activist and the author of more than 15 books on fiction and poetry. When “Badan Dareeda”, her second collection of verse, appeared in 1973, she was accused of using erotic and sensual expressions in her poetry. The themes prevalent in her verse were, until then, were considered taboo for women writers.

Riaz was born into a literary family of Meerut in July 1946. She also played an active role in social and political activities. Notably, Riaz lived in self-exile for over six years in India when former military dictator Gen Zia-ul-Haq ruled over Pakistan.

The noted poet was appointed managing director of what was then the National Book Council of Pakistan during the first Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government (1988-90). In Benazir Bhutto’s second tenure as Prime Minister, she became associated with the Ministry of Culture. In 2009, she was appointed the chief editor of the Urdu Dictionary Board in Karachi.

Famous Pakistani writer Kamila Shamsie condoled Riaz’s death and termed her “one of the brightest of lights in the dark days” of dictatorship.

“Heartbreaking news about the death of Fahmida Riaz. What a transformative force she was, in her poetry and her life.  One of the brightest of lights in the dark days of Zia-ul-Haq, and beyond,” she said in a tweet.

Heartbreaking news about the death of Fahmida Riaz. What a transformative force she was, in her poetry and her life. One of the brightest of lights in the dark days of Zia-ul-Haq, and beyond. #fahmidariaz

— Kamila Shamsie (@kamilashamsie) November 21, 2018

Soon after Fahmida Riaz’s demise, friends and fans paid tribute to her on Twitter.

Sad to lose another very lovely Khala the dynamic @fahmidaRiaz she was brave, daring and a great person – rest in peace Khala you will be missed in a land where people can no longer disagree and still live

— Ayesha Siddiqa (@iamthedrifter) November 21, 2018

Renowned Pakistani Poet Fahmida Riaz passes away in Lahore. She had fled General Zia-ul Haq's tyranny, sought refuge & spent 7 years in exile in India. Her warning to Indians on religious fundamentalists remains and will keep ringing forever.https://t.co/6Qd09X7OG2 pic.twitter.com/4ZOmT513s3

— Vijoo Krishnan (@VijooKrishnan) November 21, 2018

She spent almost seven years in exile during Zia rule. During her India stay, Riaz was a poet in residence for Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi – my alma mater #FahmidaRiaz https://t.co/IkdH5Zemcm

— Saif Khalid (@msaifkhalid) November 21, 2018

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