Holding the office of Dilkushi, poet Parveen Shakir

Dr. Shagufta Yasmin
She entered the garden of Urdu literature like fragrance and quickly spread her personality, charm, and confidence, softness and sweetness of her words, and poetry that touches the heart. At a very young age, she gained fame and popularity, or rather, love, which is rare for many people. This proud personality is Parveen Shakir, who has expressed women's feelings and emotions with complete truth and sincerity through her writing. Although strong and powerful voices like Ada Jafri and Fehmida Riaz were already present, Parveen Shakir's poetry has the unique distinction of capturing the essence of a woman's emotions in all their complexity.

Parveen Shakir was born on November 24, 1952, in a literary family in Karachi. Her father, Syed Shakir Hussain, belonged to Lahria Sarai, Darbhanga district, and migrated to Karachi after Pakistan's independence. Parveen started writing poetry at a young age, encouraged by her father, who was also a poet and used the pen name Shakir. She passed her matriculation exam from Riazvi Girls School, Karachi, and her BA from Sir Syed College. In 1972, she earned her MA in English Literature from the University of Karachi and later completed another MA in Linguistics. She also obtained a master's degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.

After completing her education, Parveen was appointed as a teacher at Abdullah Girls College, Karachi. She also taught at Jamia College and Trinity College for nine years. After passing the Pakistan Civil Services exam, she was appointed as a Second Secretary at the Central Board of Revenue in Karachi in 1982. Later, she served as a Deputy Collector in Islamabad. At the age of 25, her first poetry collection, "Khushboo," was published, and it created a stir in literary circles. She was awarded the Adam Ji Award for this collection.

Parveen Shakir's poetry is a reflection of a woman's life, from the innocence of a young girl to the maturity of a woman. Her poetry collection "Khushboo" was a breath of fresh air in Urdu literature, and her subsequent collections, "Inkaar" and "Sad Barg," further established her as a prominent poet. Her poetry touches on themes of love, loss, and the struggles of a woman's life.

In addition to her ghazals, Parveen Shakir's nazms also explore the emotional and psychological issues faced by women. Her poetry is a testament to her courage and determination in the face of adversity. Despite facing many challenges, including the pain of separation and the struggles of being a single parent, Parveen Shakir continued to write with passion and conviction.

Parveen Shakir's life was cut short in a tragic accident on December 26, 1994, when a bus collided with her car while she was on her way to work. She was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to her injuries. She was laid to rest in Islamabad. Throughout her life, Parveen Shakir was awarded numerous honors, including the Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Award, the USIS Award, and the Pride of Performance Award. However, her greatest achievement is the love and admiration she continues to receive from her fans, even after her passing.

As she herself wrote:
"If I am fragrance, don't stop me from spreading,
And if I spread, don't try to contain me."