As Pakistan’s literary landscape commemorates another year without Abeda Iqbal Azad, her memory remains as fresh as ever.
Even fourteen years after her passing, distinguished author and activist-journalist Abeda Iqbal Azad remains a towering figure in contemporary literature, her metaphorical presence still felt across generations. The influence of her work continues to echo through time, inspiring both emerging writers and established literary voices.
Her poetry reads like a finely composed symphony, each word carefully placed to resonate with emotional depth and meaning. Her short fiction is no less compelling, carrying the same intensity and narrative strength that defines her literary legacy.
Through her stories and investigation, she painted detailed portraits of life in all its shades, from the bustling streets of Karachi to the quiet corners of rural villages, each tale presenting masterpiece of character and conflict.
Azad was widely known for her historic literature of 1971 Pak-India war and political uprising in then East Pakistan such as “Dateline Dhaka” and “Aag ka darya hai aor doob ker jana hai.”
But perhaps it was in her role as a columnist that Abeda truly cemented her legacy as a literary luminary. Fearless and unapologetic, she used her platform to shine a light on the pressing issues facing the country, from social injustices to political corruption.
According to renowned literary critic Zaib Azkaar Hussan, Abeda was not only a poetess but also a human rights activist. In particular, she praised her diction which, he said, was very profound and expressive.
“Broadly speaking, Abeda Iqbal’s poetry denounces every form of human exploitation, regardless of the pretext, while confronting patriarchy, injustice, and the denial of basic human rights. He noted that her work upholds a vision of peace and fosters enlightened, constructive social values,” he remarked.
According to renowned Urdu novelist Nasim Amjum, Abeda entered the literary world like a gentle fragrance, a refreshing breeze carrying the promise of depth and meaning. Just as her talent was beginning to flourish, her untimely passing left a lingering sense of unfulfilled promise.
“Whenever I read her creations, it feels like engaging with an intricate puzzle-layered, evocative, and deeply thought-provoking. It reads like a quiet dialogue with silence itself, drawing me into its depths.
Within her writings, she subtly unfolds her reflections on the uncertainty of human existence, captivating the reader with the delicacy and complexity of her insight,” Anjum said.
Though her life was brief, Abeda’s impact was undeniable. She fulfilled her responsibilities with sincerity and purpose, embodying a rare honesty and dedication. Her presence left a lasting impression on those around her, while her activism echoed far beyond her years.
In the short time she had, she invested her heart and soul into every pursuit, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence. Her contributions, though modest in scale, were profound in effect, quietly shaping the world in meaningful and lasting ways, Anjum said.
Azad started her journalistic career from a very early age as a feature reporter and was contributing to Bangladesh Observer and Bangladesh Times with her maiden name, Abeda Yasmin Rabbani. She studied medicine and became MBBS doctor. After her marriage she moved to Karachi.
She preferred journalism as a profession. Abeda loved Karachi very much. She started her career by contributing to different newspapers and magazines and proved her powerhouse ability in both prose and poetry. Soon, she became an integral name in the literary circle with her columns Aaina in Jurrat and Chehre in Roznama Express. She also rotated her column Chehre in other newspapers like Ash Sharq, Khabraen, Nawa-e -Waqt and Dubai Times.
Abeda Iqbal Azad, instantly recognised as an activist poet, was seen expressing her thoughts and emotions through her impactful writings, dealing with social and political issues while campaigning of societal and political for human as well as woman’s rights.
She also worked as features and investigative writer and wrote fictions for different English and Urdu magazines and newspapers, as well as articles to various health magazines and journals.
Abeda Iqbal remained associated with Daily Jurrat and Express as columnist till her last. Her works included Urdu adaptation of the works of Saadat Hussain Manto, Kahlil Jibran and Rabindra Nath Tagore. She drew a large number of admirers for her popular mode of poetry and mainstream writings.
Abeda tried hard to contribute to literature and mainstream writing in her capacity.
The late activist was a keen social campaigner and was associated with a good number of non-profit organizations. Abeda Iqbal was a life member of Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP)
