Dr. Arifa Sayeda Zehra, often referred to as a national icon in Pakistan, was a towering figure whose contributions spanned the realms of education, intellectual history, and social advocacy. Her distinctive voice and profound insights, particularly on the Urdu language, literature, human rights, and social issues, cemented her legacy as one of the most respected intellectuals and humanitarians of her time.

👩‍🏫 The Professional Journey of a Pioneering Educationist

Dr. Zehra’s professional life was characterised by a deep commitment to teaching, academic leadership, and educational reform, particularly for women’s empowerment.

• Academic Foundation: She built a formidable academic background, earning a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Lahore College for Women University, a Master of Arts in Urdu from Government College University, Lahore, and further degrees—an M.A. in Asian Studies and a Ph.D. in History—from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her 1983 dissertation, Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan, 1817-1898: Man with a Mission, reflected her specialisation in intellectual history.
• Key Leadership Roles: Her career included influential roles at premier educational institutions in Lahore:
  • She began as a lecturer at Lahore College for Women in 1966, eventually serving as its vice principal (1985-1988) and then Principal (1988-1989).
  • She later served as the Principal of the Government College of Women, Gulberg (1989-2002).
• Later Career and Influence: Post-retirement from formal administration, her expertise remained in high demand. She was a Professor Emeritus of History at Forman Christian College and was a visiting faculty member at numerous prestigious institutions, including the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and the National College of Arts (NCA).

🌟 Key Achievements and Educational Reforms

Dr. Zehra’s impact on education goes beyond her administrative roles; she was a fervent advocate for quality education and language preservation.

Advocating for the Urdu Language

She was celebrated for her immense knowledge and passion for the Urdu language and literature. Dr. Zehra continually advocated for the language’s continued use, accessibility to classic books, and what she termed a “literary revolution” among Pakistani youth to reconnect them with their national heritage. Her televised forums and lectures often explored the socio-cultural context of the language, discussing influences like colonialism and classism on its perception.

Influential Public Service

Her expertise led to involvement in high-level policy and governance:

• She served as a member of the Punjab Public Service Commission (2002-2005).
• She was a Caretaker Provincial Minister of Punjab, demonstrating her readiness to contribute to provincial governance.
• She served as the Special Advisor to the Prime Minister for Education and National Harmony Affairs.

🫂 Impact as a Social Worker and Human Rights Advocate

While she often stated she preferred to work for social change through the platform of education rather than official NGO membership, Dr. Zehra’s contributions to human rights and gender equality are profound.

• Champion of Gender Equality: Her decision to teach at women’s colleges was deeply rooted in her commitment to female equity and parity. She used her platform to educate women on their basic legal rights and societal roles.
• Chairperson of NCSW: She served as the Chairperson on the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), a critical position from which she could directly influence policy and legislation to improve the lives and standing of women in Pakistan.
• Voice for Development and Rights: She was a vocal proponent for basic human rights and holistic development in Pakistan, often discussing South Asian social issues in public forums and conferences. Her intellectual analysis of societal problems helped shape public discourse and raise awareness among various segments of the population.

💎 The Enduring Legacy

Dr. Arifa Sayeda Zehra’s legacy is one of intellectual honesty, unwavering integrity, and a life dedicated to service. Her passing on November 10, 2025 (at the age of 88), marked the end of an era, but her influence continues.

• Inspiration to Youth: Her engaging and accessible lectures, which often went viral online, made her an inspirational figure, particularly for the youth, who were drawn to her eloquent articulation of complex issues.
• Intellectual Depth: She gifted Pakistan a treasure trove of critical analysis on history, society, and literature, constantly pushing for deeper, more reasoned engagement with national challenges.
• Recognition: Her lifetime of service was recognised through various honors, including the University of Hawaii Distinguished Alumni Awardee in 2016.

Dr. Zehra remains a shining example of how a dedicated educationist can transcend the classroom to become a formidable force for social justice and national harmony. Her work will continue to inspire new generations to seek knowledge and speak truth to power.

In this literary society, where each and every one plays a role towards literature of various languages .literary persons try to embellish their languages and cultures with the ornaments of divergent literary genres Criticism, composing verse, prose writing , drama and other creations are also essential components of literature, but the torrent of translation is on its peak .Translation is as much an art as it is a skill The beauty of translated works lies in the collaboration between the original writer and the translator, both striving to communicate the essence of the story to readers who may not share the same linguistic heritage. Translation is a bridging factor in literature .

A translator acts as a mediator between two cultures, not merely converting one language to another but navigating the complexities of two distinct ways of thinking, living and seeing the world . The translator’s role is crucial in preserving the author’s unique style , voice , and the essence of the original work. Some believe that a good translation is an art form in itself where the translator does not just translate words but also recreats the literary experience.

A poor translation can distort the tone or meaning of a work . John whycliff became prominent for the version of bible . After a huge struggle Arab-Persian translators transformed the Greek texts into Arabic, persian and other languages which made easier to understand the scientific traditions. Similarly shah Waliyullah translated Holy Quran to convey its message to common people which was co-related to humanity. Mirza Qaleech Baig for translations known as’ Shakespeare of Sindh’ . His translations made those classical European stories accessible to sindh readers . Qaleech Baig translated many famous plays of Shakespeare but in sindhi culture .

        On behalf of literary bi-lingual translation Ayaz Bhutto is regarded as pioneering bridge between western literature and Urdu-Sindhi readers. His translations are well-regarded and he is considered an important Figure in realm of literary translations in region. His name is often associated with the translation of western literary works in urdu and sindhi as well , there may be a more extensive body of work to explore. Translations by Ayaz Bhutto bring the universal themes of the novel into cultural context of the urdu and sindhi speaking world.

His sindhi-urdu version of” Old Man and Sea” was well received for capturing the essence of Hemingway’s prose While making it relatable to the socio-cultural landscape of urdu and sindhi readers. Ayaz Bhutto translated George Orwell’s novel “Animal Farm” in this he exposed class , inequality, power and control satiricaly . ” Animal Farm” is parody and full of symbolism, it shows Sourceless people’s movements, Symbolically change of members’ faces into pig and people.

In this Novel “Rulers become wealthy and people are becoming victim of poverty. Ayaz Bhutto’s translations are a bridge between global and literary trends and the readers of Sindhi-Urdu speaking world. His works have likely opened up new dimensions for Urdu and Sindhi readers , introducing them to literary classics . His influence in the literary world has undoubtedly enriched the discource of translation and has set a precedent for future translators. His Translation of” Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho simplifies its complex plot in sindhi version, it also exposes that novel is symbolic and it is all about the author’s life learnings.

Great expectation by Charles Dicken is recently translated by Ayaz Bhutto which is included in Sindhtext Bookboard syllabus for grade xii English . It shows translators literary significance in regional education and defines its lucid theme . while there’s less widespreaddocumentation of Ayaz Bhutto’s life outside of specific works , those familiar with literary translation in Urdu and Sindhi communities might told him in light regard for his skill and dedication to pursuing particularly respected works and for bringing complex western literary traditions to the local context which was a significant contribution in the region .

Ayaz Bhutto’s translations are discourse and real exegesis of the original texts of western novels . He opens the doors for students who struggle and study deep. He motivates youth to take interest in translation studies and engage with both eastern and western writings. It is clear that Ayaz Bhutto’s translations are not ontological and purely philosophical but his selection of terms in Sindhi and Urdu is fabulous. His translations are appreciable and datum for the base of version and converting skill.

Wajidbukhari2020@gmail.com