Afzal Tauseef

Afzal Tauseef (18 May 1936 – 30 December 2014 ), also spelled Afzal Tausif, was a Pakistani Punjabi language writer, columnist and journalist.

She criticized military dictatorship in Pakistan and was detained, later displaced several times by the military dictators of that time, such as Ayub Khan and Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. Afzal has authored more than thirty books in Punjabi and Urdu. In 2010, she was awarded the Pride of Performance by the Government of Pakistan in recognition of her literary contributions. She was also associated with the Pakistan Peoples Party and served as vice president of Punjabi Adabi Board (PAB) for five years. Afzal also wrote a book titled Dekhi Teri Duniya (lit. 'Seen your world').

Her books include: Punjab Ke'da Naa Punjab (what is Punjab) My Beloved Trees, My Children was among the books she wrote about partition. Afzal's main subject was progressive writing.

Awards and recognition During her lifetime, Afzal Tauseef received numerous awards for her literary works: Lifetime Achievement Award by Asian Writers Association, a Denmark-based nonprofit organization

Death and legacy She died in Lahore on 30 December 2014, a day after being admitted to Alshafi Hospital. She is buried in Karim block cemetery in Iqbal Town. Her funeral was attended by Punjabi Adabi Board members and representatives of the Pakistan Academy of Letters including writers Kanwal Feroze, Parveen Malik, Baba Najmi and journalists.

A fellow Indian progressive writer, Amrita Pritam had compiled a book about her in Hindi entitled Doosre Aadam Ki Beti and also called her "Suchi Dhee Punjab Di" (True daughter of the Punjab).