Tariq Hashmi was born on August 28, 1970 and hails from the Dera Ismail Khan district in Pakistan. Apart from being a poet, critic, and teacher of Urdu literature, he is also a distinguished broadcaster. Having received his earlier education in his hometown, he completed his BA from Government College, Bhakkar and MA from Urdu Oriental College, Punjab University, followed by M.Phil. from Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad. He received his PhD from the University of Peshawar and has been teaching at Edwards College, Peshawar for ten years. Since 2008, he has been associated with the Department of Urdu, GC University, Faisalabad, and is the editor, of the journal ‘Zabaan-o-Adab’.

He started his career in broadcasting from Radio Pakistan Dera Ismail Khan, after which he was associated with Radio Pakistan Lahore and Peshawar. He also presented select documentary programs on Pakistan Television. His important writings include:
Poetry: Zahrab, Dil Daswaan Sayyaara Hai, Dastak Diya DIl 
Criticism: Urdu Ghazal – Nayi Tashkilen, Urdu Ghazal Ka Baab-e-Zafar, Sheriyaat-e-Khaibar, Asri Tanaazur, Dagh Dehlavi – Maa-baad-e-Nau-aabaadiyaati Mutaala, Farigh Bukhari – Shakhsiyat Aur Fann, Maulaana Salaahuddin Ahmad – Ahwaal-o-Aasaar, Dr. Tahseen Faraqi – Shakhsiyat Aur Fann, Jadeed Nazm ki Teesri Jihat, Urdu Nazm Aur Muasir-e-Insaan.
Compilation: Mahaasin-e-Kalaan-e-Ghaalib az Dr. Abdul Rehman Bijnauri, Adab, Alaamat, aur Jamaal-e-Matn, Niilii Dhund mein Lipti Shawl.