Poets/Writers From Pakistan

Widely celebrated and sung Urdu poet. Rose to iconic stature through his seductively romantic and anti-establishment poetry.

One of the greatest Urdu poets, the national poet of Pakistan, who penned 'Saare jahaan se achha Hindostaan hamara' and 'Lab pe aati hai dua ban ke tamanna meri'.

One of the widely celebrated and popular Urdu poets, equally sung in romance and rebel, faced political repression against his revolutionary views.

Famous Pakistani ghazal singer belonging to the Patiala gharana. They have a unique style of blending Hindustani classical music with ghazals. Also sung for a number of Indian and Pakistani films.

Celebrated poet, novelist, song and scriptwriter. Acclaimed for directing a tele-serial on Mirza Ghalib. Recipient of Sahitya Academy and Dada Sahab Phalke awards.

Most prominent fiction writer, known for his stories woven around the experience of Partition and for his individual style of telling tales. The first Urdu writer to have been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

Prominent Urdu critic, literary historian, linguist, and translator; also served as Vice-Chancellor of Karachi University and Chair of Urdu Lughat Board.

One of the most prominent modern Urdu poets, popular among the masses for his unconventional ways.

Mehdi Hasan was a ghazal and playback singer of Pakistan. He was also known as 'Shehenshah-e-Ghazal' He was honored with the Pride of Performance Award and numerous Nigar Awards for his inimitable contribution to music.

The most prominent stylist of Urdu prose and author of "Aab-e-Hayaat." Himself a poet, he was a major force behind the movement for the new Nazm in Urdu.

One of the most read fiction and travelogue writers from Pakistan, known for his unique creativity and appeal.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a Pakistani instrumentalist, predominantly a qawwali and sufi singer. A winner of the Pride of Performance Award and the UNESCO Music Prize, his vocal range was unusually high.

Patras Bokhari was an Urdu humourist, educator, essayist, broadcaster, and diplomat from Pakistan. He is best known for his humorous writings in Urdu literature.

World-renowned Urdu fiction writers, known for masterpieces like "Thanda Gosht," "Khol Do," "Toba Tek Singh," etc.

Prominent voice of the new Urdu ghazal and accomplished translator who rendered non-Urdu poetry into Urdu. Honoured with the Pride of Performance for his outstanding contributions to Urdu literature.

Poet who fought in World War II and was associated with the Progressive Writers’ Association. Known for his distinctive style.

One of the leading Pakistani poets is known for his layered poetic expression.

Prominent modernist poet, story writer, one of the first poets to write prose poems; also edited the important journal "Tashkeel".

One of the leading and reputed Pakistani poets, known for his neo-classical tone, equally well-known in India, lives in Houston, USA.

Most outstanding Pakistani, progressive poet. Also counted among leading fiction writers. Edited an important literary magazine, Funoon.

Known as Shaaʿir-e-Romaan (Poet of Romance), he is a prominent Urdu poet who also edited several literary magazines, including Intikhab, Bahaaristan, Khyaalistan, and Romaan.

Popular poetess-writer of Punjabi. Bharatiya Jnanpeeth Awardee.

Prominent Pakistani poet, fiction writer, and critic wrote two important novels, Zawaal and Deewaar ke Peechhe; also wrote a history of Pakistani literature.

One of the prominent poets of humour and satire in the Indian subcontinent.

Leading Pakistani poet who writes a four-line on current affairs daily for the Pakistani newspaper Jung.

Prominent Urdu fiction writer from Pakistan who also occasionally writes poetry.

Prominent Pakistani exponent of new Urdu ghazal, famous for his ghazal 'Wo ishq jo hum se rooth gaya,' sung by many singers.

One of the stalwarts of the new Urdu ghazal in Pakistan. Some of his ghazals have been put to music.

One of the leading modern poets and short story writers, who made an outstanding contribution to modern Urdu Nazm in India.

Punjabi, Pothohari, and Urdu poet best known for his ghazal "Daagh e Dil Humko Yaad Anay Lagay".

Renowned Urdu poet of humour and satire.

One of the most popular poets in the fourth and fifth decades of the 20th century, contemporary of Faiz Ahmad Faiz.

Renowned Pakistani poet known for strong feminist and anti-establishment views.

Popular poet from Pakistan, known for his anti-establishment poetry, having a mass following.

The writer of Pakistan’s national anthem, he was a celebrated poet of the 20th century whose literary achievements earned him prestigious honours, including the Pride of Performance and the Hilal-e-Imtiaz.

Pakistani poet known for his ghazal "Kal chaudhanvi ki raat thi, shab bhar raha charcha tera.".

One of the most prominent Pakistani poets, famous for his cultural romanticism.

Iqbal Bano was a much-admired ghazal singer from Pakistan. She learnt all forms of classical singing from Ustad Chaand Khan of the Delhi Gharana. The Pride of Performance Award was bestowed upon her.

Renowned feminist poet, known for her social consciousness and creative sensibility.

One of the most prominent post-modern Pakistani poets, known for the uniqueness of his poetic experience.