PESHAWAR: Noreen Shah, a Ph.D scholar, has defended her thesis successfully in English literature at Qurtuba University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar. Professor Dr. Samina Ashfaq, Qurtuba University Peshawar, supervised the Scholar. Dr. Liaqat Iqbal from Abdul Wali Khan University was the external examiner in the thesis defense. This thesis critically examines Pakistani writer Sabyn Javeri’s short story collection Hijabistan through the lens of radical feminism, utilizing Michael Foucault’s theories on discourse, power, and knowledge. The primary objectives of this study are threefold: to identify the key themes and modes of radical feminist discourse in Hijabistan, to critically analyze how these elements challenge Pakistan’s traditional socio-cultural and religious beliefs, and to explore the intersections between Foucault’s theories of Power/Knowledge, the Order of Discourse, and radical feminist theory in the context of Pakistani literature. It argues that Javeri’s works reflect significant misconceptions about Pakistani society and advance a singular agenda of disseminating radical feminist principles. Through textual analysis and purposive sampling, the research critiques how Javeri’s work portrays patriarchy, religious ideologies, and social values, positing that these representations perpetuate a Western mindset potentially detrimental to Pakistani society. The research concludes that such depictions of Pakistani society can have serious implications for readers unfamiliar with the culture, shaping their perceptions based on potentially misrepresented texts. The study further concludes that such misrepresentations of Islamic cultures have the potential to foster anti-Islamic sentiments among the global audience. The findings suggest the need for a more inclusive and diverse approach to feminist discourse in Pakistani literature that respects the society’s cultural and religious context. The study contributes to existing knowledge by comprehensively examining radical feminism through Foucault’s lens in Pakistani literature, offering a robust framework for future research. DLP Report
