Zahida Raees Raji

Zahida Raees Raji is a celebrated Balochi poetess, novelist, and researcher whose work has enriched contemporary South Asian literature. She is the author of acclaimed novels, short story collections, and poetry in both Balochi and Urdu, alongside influential research on Balochi language and classical poetry. Her published works include Paad e Cheyr e Zimen, Tokah Zind e Darwaray, and Be Kasah Man a Waab Neit, while her translations and critical essays have expanded access to Balochi literature for wider audiences. Zahida has been honored with multiple awards, including the Allama Iqbal Literary Award (2025), and has represented Balochi literature at major national and international festivals and conferences. Through her teaching at the University of Karachi and her pioneering digital initiatives, she continues to inspire new generations while preserving and promoting the richness of Balochi language and culture.