India-born Pakistani poet, human rights activist Fahmida Riaz passes away
Noted Pakistani poet and human rights activist, Fahmida Riaz, has passed away following a prolonged illness, at the age of 73. Lahore-based Riaz, who fled Pakistan during former military-dictator General Zia-ul-Haq's rule and lived in self-exile in India for nearly 7 years, had been unwell for the past few months. Notably, she was born into a literary family of Meerut (UP) in July, 1945.
Riaz charged with cases for politically-charged content in her magazine
Riaz, who settled in Hyderabad following her father's transfer to Sindh province, always raised her voice for women rights in Pakistan. Riaz, a well-known progressive Urdu writer, poet worked with Radio Pakistan and BBC Urdu service (Radio). Her Urdu publication 'Awaz' grabbed the attention of Zia for its liberal and politically-charged content after which she and her second husband were charged with various cases.
Riaz fled to India with children after husband's arrest
Following the cases, Riaz's magazine was shut down and her husband was arrested. She then fled to India with her two children and sister and got asylum. Her children went to school in India. Her husband later joined her in India after his release from jail. The family spent almost seven years in exile in India before returning to Pakistan after Zia's death.
Riaz received Presidential Pride of Performance Award for Literature: Poetry
Riaz had been a poet in residence for Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia University. She was a prominent voice in the feminist struggle in Pakistan. She was awarded the Presidential Pride of Performance Award for Literature: Poetry by the Pakistan government in 2010.
