Pak Daman by Hijab Rana

About this novel

Pak Daman (Urdu: پاک دامن) by Hijab Rana is a complete Urdu family novel about twin sisters, Urooj and Jannat, separated as babies. One grows up in the city of Rahim Yar Khan and the other in a village called Bela, in two very different homes.

The story opens with a mother’s complaint. “Urooj, sit still for once – you spend the whole day jumping around,” Urusa says, having told her daughter three times already. Urooj never listens. “Mama, you never let me do anything I want,” she sulks, flopping onto the sofa. “Mama, you always nag – ‘don’t do this, don’t do that.’ Living at home is such a punishment!” Her mother, chopping vegetables, scolds her sharp tongue, and Urooj teases back that her mother should think about her “innocent” daughter. “Thank God there’s no one as innocent as you,” Urusa snaps. Urooj laughs that every mother thinks her daughter is a princess, then stomps off to her room after yet another lecture.

Far away, in a quieter home, Fakhra calls for Jannat, who is busy reading a magazine and just about to reach the hero’s grand entrance. “Jannat, why are you buried in these magazines all day? Is this how your father’s darling spends her time? Girls your age have four hands and feet for housework!” Jannat laughs that she’s never seen anyone with four hands. Fakhra reminds her she has been raised with love and educated up to BA, and tells her to spend her time in worship instead of useless things.

ایک ہی دن پیدا ہونے والی دو بہنیں، دو الگ گھر، اور ایک قسمت۔

Then the writer reveals the connection. Jannat is not Fakhra and Aziz’s own child. Urusa, married in Rahim Yar Khan, had a prosperous home; her eldest is Danyal, and four years later Allah blessed her with twin daughters. Seeing her sister Fakhra’s empty lap, Urusa – after consulting her husband – gave Jannat to Fakhra so happiness could knock at her door too. Jannat grew up in the village of Bela. The two sisters were raised in different environments with different natures, but perhaps, the writer hints, their fate is the same.

Hijab Rana sets up a story of family sacrifice and destiny, and the title – “pure-hearted” – suggests that honour and character will be tested.

You can read Pak Daman online here or download the complete PDF for free. You may also like Ghalat Fehmiyan and Mannat Aur Jannat, or browse more romantic Urdu novels.