Altaf Fatima

Altaf Fatima was an Urdu novelist, playwright, and drama writer from Pakistan. She was awarded various awards at home and abroad, including Japan's highest civil award, for her works. She was born on June 10, 1927, in Lucknow, British India. She migrated to Pakistan soon after independence, along with her family. She never received any formal education, and was instead homeschooled. Despite this, she was ranked as an eminent intellectual, reader, and writer. She first became involved with PTV in the 1960s, when she wrote her first long play Mehman. She wrote stories for several hit films and TV dramas, such as Shama, Afshan, Aroosa, and Ana. She also published her poetry and film songs in books, such as Aa Pyar Dil Mein Jaga and Ilham. She remained an advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh, and was a member of the managing committee of the Arts Council of Pakistan. She was also an ardent feminist and a social worker. She died of natural causes on November 29, 2018, at the age of 91.