Neelam Bashir

Neelam Bashir (Urdu: نیلم بشیر; born January 17, 1950) is a Pakistani fiction writer, novelist, poet, travelogue writer, critic, and researcher who writes in both Urdu and Punjabi. She is known for her candid and fearless writing on sensitive social issues, particularly those concerning the female experience in a patriarchal society.

Early life and education Neelam Ahmad Bashir was born in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, on January 17, 1950. Her paternal aunt, Parveen Atif, was also an Urdu short story writer.

After her marriage to Dr. Siraj Siddiqui in 1972, she moved to the United States, where she lived for fourteen years.

Career Bashir is a prominent figure in contemporary Urdu literature. Her work is noted for its exploration of the complex issues related to the female psyche and social realities. She was honoured with Pride of Performance by Government of Pakistan in 2023.