In the quiet of Hayatabad Township, a remarkable life came to an end. Dr Parveen Azim, a senior gynaecologist whose influence stretched far beyond the operating theatre, passed away late Wednesday night at the age of 73. Main Developments News of her death spread quickly through Peshawar's medical community, where she had been a fixture for decades. Her funeral and burial took place in Hayatabad Township, with colleagues and former students gathering to pay their respects. Dr Azim's career was defined by a dual commitment: advancing women's health and championing women's medical education. She served as head of the gynaecology department at Khyber Medical College, where she mentored countless young doctors, and later joined Gandhara Medical College after retirement. Read also: KP Chief Minister Vows Full Force Against Terrorism in Latest Briefing Her achievements earned her a lifetime achievement award at Khyber Medical College and another at Gandhara Medical College, recognising her outstanding contributions to medicine and medical education. Background Born in an era when few women pursued medicine in Pakistan, Dr Azim graduated from Khyber Medical College and later specialised in gynaecology and obstetrics through the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, also earning an MS. She married paediatric surgeon Dr Said Alam Mahsud in 1995. Her personal battles were as formidable as her professional ones. She courageously overcame breast cancer, then, a decade later, fought tongue cancer. On June 10, 2026, she suffered a severe stroke from which she never recovered. Why It Matters Dr Azim's legacy is not just in the lives she saved but in the barriers she broke. As a female physician in a male-dominated field, she became a role model for aspiring women doctors, proving that dedication and skill could overcome systemic obstacles. Her literary side adds another layer to her impact. An acclaimed Urdu book, “Gorkhi Ki Maa,” which she authored, became the subject of a PhD thesis. Her fiction often centred on downtrodden characters, reflecting her deep empathy for the marginalised. What's Next Dr Azim is survived by her daughter, Dr Maryam Mahsud, who carries forward her mother's medical legacy. The medical community in Peshawar is expected to honour her memory through continued support of women's medical education, a cause she championed throughout her life. As colleagues remember her as an innocent-looking but brave soul who brought smiles to seriously-ill patients, her story will likely inspire future generations of physicians to blend compassion with clinical excellence.