Noted Pakistani feminist writer and poet Fahmida Riaz died here. She was 72. The eminent progressive writer, who was also hailed by many as the pioneer in feminist literature, had been suffering from illness for the past few months, reports Dawn news.

She died on Wednesday night. Riaz was also a human rights activist and the author of more than 15 books on fiction and poetry. When "Badan Dareeda", her second collection of verse, appeared in 1973, she was accused of using erotic and sensual expressions in her poetry.