Writers and intellectuals here on Wednesday paid rich tributes to Qurratulain Haider, saying that she made a legend about herself in her lifetime. "The legendary figure is no more physically, but the story of her commitment to creative writing and legacy of her masterpieces literary endeavours will survive in the history of sub-continent," they maintained.
Writers and intellectuals under the aegis of Pakistan Intellectual Forum (PIF) Islamabad lauded her contribution to the Urdu and Punjabi languages and literature, which they said would be remembered for long. The legendary writer of Sub-continent Qurratulain Haider widely regarded as "Grand Dame" of Urdu literature passed away on Tuesday.
She was a multi-faceted personality with the unique distinction of being a scholarly writer and teacher," Hashim Abro of PIF said. "Quratulain like literary figures, indeed, become global citizens, global asset and intellectuals and writers community feels proud of them," Abro added.
Professor Asmatullah Khan said that her life was the source of inspiration for many other writers, and many young writers have dedicated their literary works to her. She was a fierce believer in freedom and justice in both an abstract and real sense, and her works could play pivotal role for social change in society. Expressing his feelings Aamir Ali Shah said that her noted works, such as 'Aag Ka Darya,' 'Patjhar Ki Awaz,' 'Roushni Ki Raftar,' and 'Chae Ke Bagh' (short novel) and 'Kaare Jahan Daraz Hai' (family chronicle) would always be remembered.
While paying tribute, development activist Zafar Ujjan said that she was the real "face of South Asia," which is of pragmatism, practicalism, tolerance and that is the message she proliferated through her marvellous literary works. Qurratulain Hyder's novels and stories are real reflection bonds such as kinship, intimate friend-ship, and love in a context of political and social fluctuations in South Asian society.