Renowned Pakistani educationist, scholar, and human rights activist Dr Arfa Sayeda Zehra has passed away on November 10.

She had served as the special assistant on Education to Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, the former caretaker prime minister of Pakistan and chaired the National Commission of the Status of Women.

Dr Zehra, eloquent and well-versed in her subject areas, received her terminal degrees from the Government College University, Lahore and the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and served in various teaching positions at the major higher education institutions in Pakistan, including Forman Christian College University.

A woman of letters, scholar of languages, history, and arts, Dr Zehra was a firm supporter of gender equality and the revival of ethical, spiritual and intellectual values in the Muslim society.

The president of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, expressed “deep grief” over her passing, calling this “an irreparable loss to Pakistan’s academic & literary community.” According to the official statement, the president “prayed for her soul and offered condolences to the bereaved family.”

Prominent intellectuals, academicians, and media personalities also paid a rich tribute to her services.

Journalist and writer Nasim Zehra said that the news of Dr Zehra’s demise was “Heartbreaking” and wrote that “the world has lost a truly exceptional human being and intellectual”.

“May she rest in peace,” she prayed.

Her courageous, scholarly, and soft-hearted personality will be remembered as the symbol of women’s empowerment, spiritual fulfilment, and intellectual commitment.