Najeeba Arif

Prof. Dr. Najeeba Arif is a distinguished scholar, writer, and cultural leader with over three decades of experience in higher education, literary research, and cultural diplomacy. Currently serving as Chairperson of the Pakistan Academy of Letters, she has played a pivotal role in promoting literature, translation, and cross-cultural dialogue at both national and international levels. Formerly Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Literature at the International Islamic University Islamabad, her academic leadership reflects a rare synthesis of rigorous scholarship and creative vision. An accomplished author and editor, Prof. Dr. Arif has published and edited nineteen books spanning fiction, poetry, memoir, literary criticism, translation, and research. Her work explores questions of identity, cultural memory, and the intellectual history of Urdu and South Asian literature. She has also made significant editorial contributions by founding and leading influential academic journals and research platforms. Her engagement with UNESCO’s World Atlas of Languages, the Iqbal Academy Pakistan, and international academic networks underscores her commitment to linguistic diversity and cultural exchange. A recipient of several prestigious literary awards, Prof. Dr. Najeeba Arif continues to shape contemporary literary discourse while fostering meaningful connections between Pakistan’s literary traditions and the wider world.