Parveen Shakir was one of Pakistan’s most celebrated Urdu poets. Known for her unique and expressive style, she pioneered a modern voice in Urdu poetry, particularly the ghazal, often exploring themes of love, heartbreak, feminism, and social issues from a distinctly female perspective. Alongside her literary pursuits, she maintained a successful career as a civil servant, working as a Grade-20 officer in the Customs department. She died tragically in a car accident in Islamabad at the age of 42.