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.

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.

An Urdu humourist, educator, essayist, broadcaster, and diplomat from Pakistan, known for his humorous writings in Urdu literature.

One of the most prominent short story writers and novelists of Urdu, a contemporary of Manto, is known for his narratives representing Indian ethos and use of mythological references. He also wrote plays and penned dialogues and stories for films.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

A distinguished short story writer of human interiority, social realities, and psychological and symbolic narratives

Famous for his ghazal 'Go zara si baat par barson ke yaraane gai,' sung by many singers.

One of the founding fathers of modern Urdu poetry.

Researcher, Ghalib Expert, Translator, and Editor

One of the founding fathers of modern Urdu nazm, known for his mystical association with Indian metaphysical tradition, died young.

Popular poet also known as the poet of the Ahl al-Bayt. His poetry about the Battle of Karbala is widely recited.

A widely read and highly popular fictionist and travelogue writer, renowned for works of exceptional literary grace

Considered the father of Modernism in Urdu literature, he was associated with the Progressive Writers’ Movement and played a pioneering role in the free-verse Urdu poetry. Faiz Ahmad Faiz honored him with the title Malik-ush-Shoara (King of Poets).

Noor Jahan was a singer and actress in British India and Pakistan. She was honored with the title Malika-e-Tarannum. She has sung around 10,000 songs in numerous Indian and Pakistani languages. She was felicitated with the President's Award.

One of the most popular Urdu poets who gave expression to feelings and experiences specific to women.

One of the most popular poets ever and a film lyricist. Famous for his ghazal 'Garmi-e-hasrat-e-nakaam se jal jate hain'.

Renowned modernist poet, composed nazms and songs, and was part of the poets of Halqa-e-Arbab-e-Zauq.

Well-known poet of humour and satire. Famous film lyricist.

Poet of the neo-classical ghazal, who avoided conventional imagery and developed an original style, distinguished further by his effective use of Hindi diction.

Renowned Urdu critic, short story writer, literary historian, and the author of 'Urdu Adab Ki Mukhtasar Tareen Tareekh'

Famous Pakistani woman poet known for her unconventional views on society. Committed suicide at a young age.

Renowned Urdu poet; gave the ghazal a new sensibility and the nazm a distinctive style; passed away at a young age

A prolific poet and lyricist, his collaborations shaped the golden era of Bollywood music.

Shamshad Begum was one of the first singers of the Hindi film industry. From the 6000 songs that she had sung in a variety of Indian languages, 1287 were for Hindi films.

A contemporary of Premchand and a distinguished screenwriter of early Indian cinema