Kishwar Naheed

Biography

Kishwar Naheed is one of Pakistan’s most celebrated feminist poets, known for her fearless voice that has challenged patriarchy, oppression, and silence for decades. Her poetry is not just literature, it is resistance, carrying a defiance that continues to inspire generations of women.

She was born in Bulandshahr in 1940 and migrated to Lahore after Partition. Growing up in a conservative environment, she faced many restrictions as a girl, but her passion for reading and writing could not be contained. She began writing poetry at an early age and pursued higher education, eventually earning her Master’s degree in Economics from Punjab University.

Her first collection, Lab-e-Goya, was published in 1968 and won the prestigious Adamjee Prize. The book immediately established her as a powerful new voice in Urdu literature. From there, she continued to write works like Buri Aurat ki Katha and We Sinful Women, both of which directly confronted issues of female identity, social hypocrisy, and the oppression of women. Her verses gave words to the frustrations and strength of countless women who had never before seen themselves reflected in poetry.

Beyond poetry, Kishwar Naheed also translated works into Urdu, wrote essays, and worked in public service. She served in important cultural and administrative positions in Pakistan, where she used her influence to promote education, women’s rights, and literature.

Her personal life was marked by strength and resilience. She married journalist Yousuf Kamran, with whom she had two sons, but she often spoke openly about the struggles women face even within family life. Her honesty made her both controversial and admired.

Over the years, Kishwar Naheed has received numerous honors, including the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, UNESCO’s Prize for Children’s Literature, and recognition for her contribution to Urdu poetry worldwide. Even today, she remains active, writing and speaking with the same boldness that defined her early years.

Kishwar Naheed’s poetry is sharp, direct, and unafraid. She has always written with the conviction that words can challenge power and inspire change. For countless readers, especially women, she is more than a poet, she is a symbol of defiance and courage.