Dr.Humaira Ishfaq as a Prose Writer

Abstract

Dr. Humera Ashfaq, an Assistant Professor at the International Islamic University Islamabad, is a prominent Pakistani Urdu prose writer, critic and scholar whose work is deeply engaged with modernism, feminism and social realities. As a contemporary novelist, her fiction is informed by modernist themes and shaped by influences of international literary traditions; and she tends to adopt a French narrative style in her own writing.Her creative bibliography includes her short story collection “Qatboon Kay Darmiyan” and her debut novel “Mee Sozam,” both published by the famous Sang-e-Meel Publishers, Lahore. The philosophy of prose by Ashfaq is that literature is an authentic reference for retrieving history and an interpreter of life. She sees autobiography (Aap Beeti) not only as a personal account but as a reflection of the political and emotional state of the world in general. Her critical writing often focuses on literary and technical critique rather than

popular opinion, such as her defence of Bano Qudsia as a female writer against criticism on social media. She is a proponent of structural reform in Urdu, such as a gender-neutral dictionary and revision of gender-biased terms. She presents literature as a driver towards intellectual and social change in her involvement in academic and international forums like Sustainable Development Conferences to address issues of injustice, human rights, and freedom of expression. Her writings successfully bridge creative literature and scholarly discussion.

References:

1. Kishwar Naheed, Taqreeb-e-Ronumai, Idara baraye Paidar Taraqqi, Islamabad, 28 October 2019, 22:37.
2. Hameed Shahid, Taqreeb-e-Ronumai, Idara baraye Paidar Taraqqi, Islamabad, 28 October 2019, 23:15.
3. Humaira Ashfaq, Novel May Sozam, Lahore: Sang-e-Meel Publications, 2021, p. 205.
4. (Aizan), p. 71.
5. Humaira Ashfaq, Kitbon ke Darmiyan, Lahore: Sang-e-Meel Publications, 2019, p. 14.
6. Hameed Shahid, Taqreeb-e-Ronumai, Idara baraye Paidar Taraqqi, Islamabad, 28 October 2019, 23:00.