2026 Winner
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Real Estate
by
Istaara Amjad
A “mohalla to metropolis” story. In imagining the communal childhood of her parents in DG Khan, the author reflects on her family’s move to the “city of lines and numbers” in Islamabad.
The Cost of the View
by
Zahra Haider
A poetic and beautifully written account of a childhood in Islamabad and memories of nature and place, but also a quietly fierce indictment of the cost of modern development.
The Physiology of the Blank Margin
by
Fizza Abbas
An utterly original work examining the intersection between pathology and poetry in the author’s imagination.
Spinning Dissent
by
Ayesha Latif
An impressive combination of literary criticism and life-writing. Drawing on texts as various as The Odyssey and the lyrics of Bulleh Shah, the author weaves a powerful story of personal betrayal and survival.
The Latticework Within
by
Ome Farwa
A lyrical account of Parachinar where even though the beautiful wooden latticework of the city’s architecture is reduced to ashes, its confining influence remains internalised in the lives of women.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNING AND HIGHLY COMMENDED AUTHORS. THEIR STORIES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO READ ON THIS WEBSITE SOON​
A WRITING COMPETITION FOR WOMEN WITH A RS.100,000 CASH PRIZE
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Named in honour of Zeenat Haroon Rashid (21 Jan 1928 - 8 April 2017), a founding member of the Womens National Guard at the time of Independence, a prize of Rs.100,000 (1 Lakh) is awarded annually through a competition for writing in English.
The competition is open to all women of Pakistani nationality or Pakistani heritage (with CNIC or NICOP) aged 18 and above and entries must be original, previously unpublished works of no more than 3000 words. The genre alternates each year between fiction and nonfiction and the entry can be on any subject as long as the writing has Pakistan as its canvas or location. The judges will look for a piece of writing with an original voice.
From amongst all entries, the best will be chosen for consideration by a panel of judges drawn from writers, editors, academics and publishers. The panel will then draw up a shortlist of 6 before agreeing on a winner.
The winning entry will be published online and, if appropriate, in a national newspaper or magazine.
"No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you. We are victims of evil customs. It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners. There is no sanction anywhere for the deplorable condition in which our women have to live”
From a speech given by Mr. Jinnah at the Muslim University Union’s meeting in Aligarh, March 10, 1944
ANTHOLOGY AVAILABLE NOW!
MIGHTIER
Fearless. Moving. Angry. Funny. Surreal.
Available online from Reverie Publishers and at all good bookshops.
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