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. 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 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 Man Booker prize.

One of the most prominent modern Urdu poets. Popular among 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.

One of the leading poets of new Urdu ghazal.

Popular Poet with dominant romantic shades celebrating love and life.

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

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

One of the most popular Urdu poets ever, known for his intense romantic poetry.

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 & Satire in the Indian subcontinent

Leading Pakistani poet who writes a four-lined 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 ghazhal 'Wo ishq jo hum se rooth gaya' sung by many singers.

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

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

One of the most prominent modern poets of Pakistan

Renowned Urdu poet of humour and satire.

One of the most popular poets in the fourth and fifth decades of 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 mass following.

Popular romantic poet made famous by Malika Pukhraj by singining ghazal "abhi to main jawan huun". Wrote the National Anthem of Pakistan.

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

Famous for writing Dohas.

One of the most fiery progressive poets who is known as Shayar-e-Inquilab (revolutionary poet)

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

Renowned Pakistani poet known for her bold views on women and strong stand against religious fundamentalism

One of the founding-fathers of modern Urdu poetry.

Master Madan was a talented ghazal and classical singer of the pre-independence India. Only 8 recorded songs of his are available. He sang in Urdu and Punjabi languages.