Zafar Iqbal; an Urdu Poet and Colimnist

Zafar Iqbal

Zafar Iqbal, an Urdu poet, based in Okara, Pakistan, is known for his innovative style of poetry, in the genre of ghazal. The diction of his ghazal is entirely different from traditional Urdu poetry, making him popular and unpopular at the same time. He is a lawyer by profession, and regularly contributes articles to an Urdu newspaper, Daily Jinnah. 

He also writes regular columns for Daily Waqt, a daily Urdu news paper from Lahore owned by Jang Group. Having title of "Daal Daliya" his column is very popular among Urdu readers.

Aftab Iqbal

His son Aftab Iqbal is also a columnist and poet. He used to do a show Namely "Hasb-e-Hal" on dunya TV. Suhail Ahmad (As Azeezi) and Najia Baig also used to be with him in that show but due to some problem with the channel, he left Dunya News and joined Geo TV network. Junaid Saleem replaced him in Hasb-e-Hal and he also doing quite well. Aftab Iqbal currently hosts the humorist TV Show titled "KhabarNak" which is one the most popular TV Shows of these days.

He also writes Columns for the Daily Jang, in the title of "Aaftabian". He has a great sense of humor and his columns are widely read the Urdu readership.

Aftab Iqbal; an Urdu Poet and Columnist

Aftab Iqbal is famous Urdu poet, journalist and television anchor from Pakistan who currently hosts the political-humour talk show Khabarnaak on GEO News. Previously, he hosted the show Hasb-e-Haal on Dunya News before leaving the channel. Aftab is the son of the Urdu poet Zafar Iqbal.

From 1994-95, Iqbal served as Media Adviser to Chief Minister Punjab. He also writes a column in The News titled Buk-up. He also wrote an article for Newsweek Pakistan.

As a columnist, Iqbal has written for a number of publications, including the Urdu language Nawa-i-Waqt. He graduated with Masters from the Government College University in Lahore in 1985 and studied history at the San Jose State University in California in 1986.

Tariq Ismail Sagar; an Excellent Urdu Novelist

Tariq Ismail Sagar

Tariq Ismail Sagar (Urdu: طارق اسماعیل ساگر) is a renowned Urdu novelist, short story writer, columnist, Drama writer and travelogue writer. He is considered to be one of the most famous contemporary Urdu fiction writers in Pakistan. He is the man who takes his responsibility as novelist, journalist, dramatist and current affairs specialist with iron hands. 

A journalist by profession Mr. Sagar is regarded as an icon of both electronic and paper media. He owns an asset of sixty plus books, twenty three drama serials and thousands of articles. 

He is the one who has given Pakistan film industry the breakthrough script of the movie “Salakhein”.

Tariq Ismail Sagar has the firm command over the workings and the networks of worldwide intelligence services. He is ranked among the bestselling novelist of South Asia. His books are sold like hot cakes.

People all around the globe wait for his writings. As a matter of fact, many of his books are translated into English for non-Urdu speakers. Hundreds of thesis has been written on his writings and services. No doubt, he is the living legend of Pakistan.

His books hold the reader till the last page of the book. One cannot separate the book once starts it and he fully enjoys reading of his novels.

He his besic field is under world and intelligence agencies but he has written on almost every important issue. Like “Lal Masjid Operation Silence” written on the deadly operation against the innocent female students of Lal Masjid in Islamabad by then president and military dictator General Pervez Musharraf, which led Pakistan to an endless bloodshed.

His valuable investigative book on the assassination of Benazir Bhutto can also be included in this category. He has written on Osama Bin Laden when he was regarded as a Hero of Muslim before 9/11.

Some of his books are given below:

• Aee Rah e Haq ke Shaheedoo

• Akhri Gunnah ki Mohlat

• Afghanistan Par Kia Guzri

• America re America

• Aur Hasar Toot Gaya

• Balochistan Ka Aatishfishan

• Bay naam si Aqeedat

• Bharat Toot Jaiga

• Bhatka Hua Rahi

• Bhutto Bach Jate Agar

• Chanaroon k Aansoo

• Commando

• Crack Down

• Cross Fire

• Cut Out

• Deshat Gard

• Dhuwaien ki Dewaar

• Double Cross

• Drug Mafia

• Falcon Kaun Tha

• Grift

• Jasus Kese Banta Hay

• Kaffara

• Kargil Crises

• Lahoo ka Safar

• Lal Masjid

• Leherdar Panion Ki Karwahat

• Mein aik Jasoos Tha

• Muhasara

• Musafat

• Operation Blue Star

• Pak Bharat Ta’alluqat

• Pakistan Aalmi Sazish k Narghe mein

• Phandha

• Poreb ki Simat

• Raw

• Red Alert

• Shaitani Kaneesa

• Shikanja

• Shri Kant

• Shimlay ka Swami

• Target Kahota

• Target Pakistan Tha

• Tum Kitnay Bhutto Marogay

• Uncle Tom Ka Dais

• Usama Bin Laden; Ek Shakhs Ek Tahreek

• Wadi-e-Lahoo Rang

• Wattan ki Mitti Gawah Rehna

• Yalghar

Ata ul Haq Qasmi; a Leading Urdu Writer

Ataulhaq Qasmi

Ata ul Haq Qasmi (عطا الحق قاسمی) is one of the leading and most popular columnist of Pakistan who has been writing Urdu columns for more than last 45 years in the leading newspapers with the name of "Rozan-e-Dewar Sey". The most distinguished character of Qasmi's column is his satire on social inequalities of the society and his anti dictatorship stance which he boldly takes in his columns. 

He has a unique style of writing incomparable to any other columnist because of his humorous way which holds the reader till the last line of his column which is his punch line.

Qasmi was also elevated to the position of Ambassador of Pakistan in Norway and Thailand during 1997 to 1999. He is also a very famous drama writer and poet. His books of columns include "Column Tamam", "Shar Goshiyan", "Hansna Rona Mana Hay", "Mazeed Ganjey Farishtey" and many more while his TV Drama Serials include the most popular "Khwaja and Son", "Shab Daig", "Sheeda Talli" etc.

His travelogues are also very popular and one of the best is "Shoq-e-Awargi". Qasmi has also received the Pride of Performance and Sitara-e-Imtiaz (highest civil awards) from President of Pakistan in addition to many other awards over his literary contributions.

Mushtaq Ahmad Yousfi has termed Qasmi as the best columnist of Pakistan while Altaf Gohar has termed him as the wittiest columnist of Pakistan.

Wasif Ali Wasif; a Famous Sufi Urdu Writer and Poet

Wasif

Wasif Ali Wasif (15 January 1929 – 18 January 1993) was a teacher, writer, poet and sufi from Pakistan. He was famous for his unique literary style. He used to write short pieces of prose on topics like love, life, fortune, fear, hope, expectation, promise, prayer, happiness, sorrow and so on. He was the regular columnist of Pakistan Urdu Newspaper Nawa-i-Waqt. In his life most of his columns were combined to form books with his own selected title. He did poetry in Urdu and Punjabi languages. Probably no contemporary Urdu writer is more cited in quotations than he is. Later years he used to answer questions in specially arranged gatherings at Lahore attended by the notable community. Some of these sessions were recorded in audio and were later published as Guftgoo (talk) series. His mehfils never had a set subject nor did he lecture on chosen topics. His way was to ask people if they had questions and then he responded to these in his highly original style. He has left behind over 35 books to his credit and his thought was more on mysticism, spirituality and humanity.

Dareechay

Wasif Ali Wasif was born in 15 January, 1929 at District Khushab. His father Malik Muhammed Arif was a teacher. He received his religious education under the supervision of his father. He got primary education in a local school in Khushab. He passed Matriculation examination from Govt. High School Khushab in 1944. His maternal grandfather, a skilled educationist, was appointed as Headmaster at a Govt. school in Jang. Therefore, he was sent to his maternal. He did F.Sc from Govt. Inter college Jhang and graduation from Govt. Degree college Jhang. He was a hardworking student who passed every examination by obtaining first division. Then he moved to Lahore; here he obtained MSC in Mathematics from Government Islamia College, Civil Lines, Lahore and Masters in English from Government College, Lahore.

asif Ali Wasif died on January 18, 1993. Being famous for Sufism and respected by many people, he is usually referred to as Hazrat Wasif Ali Wasif. His shrine is located in Lahore at 25 Bahawalpur Road, near Chawk Chuburjee. His Urs (Religious Festival) is celebrated every year from 22nd to 24th of the month of Rajab.

Hazrat Wasif Ali Wasif did his master in mathematics. At first he taught in some private institutions for sometime, but then he founded Lahore College for English later 'Lahore English college' in 1958. In a short span of time his fame as a very able, benign, competent and dutiful teacher spread around. It was due to ever increasing number of students he started teaching students in two shifts.

Hazrat Wasif Ali Wasif was so much given to silence. He spent most part of the day in this tranquillity, but when he spoke there was nothing that was not quotable. His written and spoken words are quotable for their content as well as their construction. Master of aphorism, he has almost a miraculous ability to capture a rainbow of meaning in a few dewdrops of well chosen words. Of this it were writings in newspaper that secured him a permanent place in the gallery of stylist prose writers. Though his main claim to fame is his writings, a select circle knows that he was an equally great a conversationalist. Ashfaq Ahmed, the conversationalist par excellence of our time has said, “The sentences we concoct are our piece of craft, Wasif’s lines came from somewhere else.” Hanif Ramay is of the view that “Wasif’s prose influences like the poetry of Iqbal.” Few original thinkers have expressed so lofty thoughts in so simple a style. He is as such a common man’s philosopher.

A Na'at by Wasif

Hazrat Wasif Ali Wasif was indeed a dervesh and sufi and in the final part of his life acted as a murshid to many.He was a person in possession of great knowledge and wisdom. He considered himself as a continuation of the great Sufi tradition, imparting useful knowledge, strong faith, hope and love to the ailing hearts. Qudratullah Shahab, Ashfaq Ahmed and Hanif Ramay attended lectures of Wasif Ali Wasif. 

It was in the last writing of Qudratullah Shahab which appeared in the Urdu Newspaper Daily Jang describing that if a person reaches a crossroads of his life, he can find a right path through Wasif Ali Wasif.

A Hameed; a Famous Urdu Fiction Writer

A Hameed

Abdul Hameed better known as A Hameed (Urdu: اے۔ حمید) is a popular Urdu fiction writer from Lahore, Pakistan who has written over 200 books.

A Hameed was born in 1928 in Amritsar British India. He passed his secondary education in Amritsar. He migrated to Pakistan after partition and passed intermediate in Pakistan as a private candidate and join Radio Pakistan as assistant script editor. After working some year for Radio Pakistan he joined Voice of America.

His first collection of short stories Manzil Manzil got a great acclaim from the readers and made him a well recognized romantic short story writer.

A part from writing short stories and novels he is writing columns for national news papers. He has written many programs for Radio and TV which have got a great acknowledgement from the listener and viewers as well.

He has written more than 200 books. Urdu She'r Ki Dastan, Urdu Nasr ki Dastan (in which he has given information about the prose literature of many Urdu prose writers from Banda Nawas gesu Draz to the recent prose writers of Daccen and Gugrat), Mirza Ghalib, Dastango Ashfaq Ahmad and Mirza Ghalib Lahore mai are his most famous books.

His Drama Ainak Wala Jin has got a great fame among the children in the 1990s.

Jamiluddin Aali; a Famous Urdu Poet

Jamiluddin Aali

Nawabzada Mirza Jamiluddin Ahmed Khan (Urdu: مرزا جمیل الدین احمد خان) better known as Jamiluddin Aali (Urdu: جمیل الدین عالی), (Pride of Performance), (Hilal-e-Imtiaz), (born January 20, 1926 in Delhi) is a noted Urdu poet, critic, playwright, essayist, columnist, and scholar of Pakistan. He is best known for the famous national song, Jeeway Jeeway Pakistan.

Aali hails from a literary family of Delhi. His grandfather, Nawab Allauddin Ahmed Khan, was a friend and student of Ghalib. His father Sir Ameeruddin Ahmed Khan was also a poet, and his mother Syeda Jamila Baigum belonged to the family of Mir Dard.

Aali

Aali earned a BA in Economics from Anglo Arabic College, Delhi. On September 30, 1944, Jamil married Tayaba Bano. They have five children (three sons and two daughters). His son, Raju Jamil, is a Television actor, while his second son Murad Jamil is a famous architect in Pakistan.

In 1947, after the partition of India, his family migrated to Pakistan and settled in Karachi. He joined the Civil Services of Pakistan in 1951. In 1971 he obtained an FEL and LLB from Karachi University. In 1966, he joined the National Bank, and served there till his retirement (1988) as senior executive vice president and member executive board.

Flag of PPP

Aali was former member of the Pakistan People's Party and also contested the general elections on March 7, 1977 from NA-191, but lost. In 1997, he was elected as member of the Senate for a six year term with support of Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

He produced a great work and contributed a fabulous literature to Urdu Adab. Some of his work is mentioned below which would reflect his expertise as a man of liter.

Ballade's collection

• Aye Mere Dasht-e-Sukhan

• Ghazlain Dohay Geet (Six editions)

• Jeeway Jeeway Pakistan (Five editions)

• La Hasil (Three editions)

• Nai Kiran

Couplet's collection

• Dohay (Three editions in Urdu and one in Devnagari)

Travel literature

• Duniya Mere Aagye

• Tamasha Mere Aagye

• Iceland

• Hurfay (Four books)

 

Long Live Pakistan

Patriotic songs

• Aye Watan Ke Sajelay Jawanoo (sung by Noor Jehan)

• Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan (sung by Shahnaz Begum originally in 1968.

• Hum Mustafavi Mustafavi Hain (official song of 1974 Islamic Conference Summit at Lahore)

• Mein Chota Sa Ek Ladka Hoon

• Mera Paigham Pakistan

• Ab Yeh Andaz-e-Anjuman Hoga

• Hum Maain, Hum Behnain, Hum Baitiyan

• Jo Naam Wahi Pehchan, Pakistan Pakistan

• Aye Des Ki Hawaon, Kushboo Mein Bas Ke Jao

• Itne Bade Jewan Sagar Mein, Tu Ne Pakistan Diya

• Jabhi Tareekh Ne Rakha Hai Iskaa Naaam Pakistan

• Yeh Kavita Pakistani Hai

Aali with his Hilal-e-Imtiaz

In recognition of his literary work and contributions to Urdu Adab, he has been given many awards across the borders. Some of his awards are given below.

• Hilal-e-Imtiaz (1999)

• Pride of Performance (1989)

• Adamjee Literary Award (1960)

• Dawood Literary Award (1963)

• United Bank Literary Award (1965)

• Habib Bank Literary Award (1965)

• Canadian Urdu Academy Award (1988)

• Sant Kabeer Award - Urdu Conference Delhi (1989)

A Short Bio Graphy of Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi

A Poem by A.N. Qasmi

Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi, (Pride of Performance), (Sitara-e-Imtiaz) (Urdu: احمد ندیم قاسمی) (November 20, 1916 – July 10, 2006) was a legendary Urdu language Pakistani poet, journalist, literary critic, dramatist and short story author. With some 50 books of poetry, fiction, criticism, journalism and art to his credit, Qasmi was a major figure in contemporary Urdu literature. His poetry stood out among his contemporaries' work for its unflinching humanism, and Qasmi's Urdu afsana (short story) work is considered by some second only to Prem Chand in its masterful depiction of rural culture. He also published and edited the prestigious literary journal Funoon for almost half a century, grooming generations of new writers.

I have come across a short biography of this great figure of Urdu Adab and thought it should be shared with you, the lovers of Urdu literature. Here you go. Your comments will be waited.

Thank you and best wishes!!!

Intizar Hussain; the Famous Urdu Writer

Intizar Hussain

Intizar Hussain, (Sitara-e-Imtiaz), is eminent living Urdu fiction writer, who has a wide readership across the globe. He was born on December 7, 1923 in Dibai, Bulandshahr India but migrated to Pakistan in 1947. He did his masters (M.A.) in Urdu and later on in English literature. He writes short stories and novels in Urdu, and also columns for newspapers in English.

Intizar Hussain has developed a unique prose style and is known for his nostalgia for older places and phenomena. He has received many awards from Pakistan, India and the Middle East.

The Seventh Door, Leaves are some of his books translated into English. He has translated from English to Urdu. His few prominent writings are "Hindustan Se Aakhri Khat" , "Agay Samander hai", "Shehr-e-Afsos" & "Wo Jo Kho Gaye". His wife died in 2004. He also writes literary article in Dawn. He started his careers from newspapers and became a part of Mashriqe newspaper. He doesn't have any children.

His novel Basti

Intizar Husain came into prominence with the upheaval filled days of 1947, as the emergent country of Pakistan was affected by the displacement of people on both sides of the border. These became the themes of Intizar Husain’s early fiction writings and his concern with the destiny of this country has deepened in his subsequent work.

Intizar Husain is a well recognized figure on Pakistan’s literary scene and many of his works have been translated into English.

Urdu poets (Amjad Islam Amjad)

Amjad Islam Amjad, PP, SI (Urdu: امجد اسلام امجد) (born August 4, 1944 in Sialkot) is a famous Urdu poet, drama writer and lyricist from Pakistan.

He received his education in Lahore. He graduated from Islamia College Civil Lines, Lahore. His career started as a lecturer in M.A.O College Lahore. From 1975 to 1979 he worked as a director at Pakistan Television Corporation before returning to the College.

In 1989 he was appointed as Director General of Urdu Science Board. Currently he is the project director of the Children Library Complex. He is the author of over 40 books and received several national and PTV awards.

Amjad Islam Amjad is the writer of many drama series for Pakistan Television Corporation including the very popular "Waaris". He has written many columns, translation, criticism and essays whereas his main focus is writing Nazms. Among his most famous dramas are Waris, Dehleez, Samandar, Raat, Waqt and Apnay Loug.

In June, 2008 he joined Urdu newspaper Daily Express.

Urdu Poets ( Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi)

Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi (real name, Ahmad Shah Awan), PP, SI (Urdu: احمد ندیم قاسمی) (November 20, 1916 – July 10, 2006) was a legendary Urdu language Pakistani poet, journalist, literary critic, dramatist and short story author. With some 50 books of poetry, fiction, criticism, journalism and art to his credit, Qasmi was a major figure in contemporary Urdu literature. His poetry stood out among his contemporaries' work for its unflinching humanism, and Qasmi's Urdu afsana (short story) work is considered by some second only to Prem Chand in its masterful depiction of rural culture. He also published and edited the prestigious literary journal Funoon for almost half a century, grooming generations of new writers.

Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi was born in village Anga of Khushab District in Pakistan. A graduate of the Punjab University, Nadeem Qasimi started his career as a government clerk, which he eventually left to pursue journalism. He became active member of the Progressive Writers Movement, for a time holding the position of secretary, and was consequently arrested many times during the 1950s through the 1970s.

In his long career as a writer and editor, Qasmi Sahib had the distinction of editing several prominent literary journals, including Phool, Tehzeeb-i-Niswaan, Adab-i-Lateef, Savera, Naqoosh, and his own brainchild, Funoon. He also served as the editor of the prestigious (now defunct) Urdu daily Imroze. For several decades Qasimi contributed weekly columns to national newspapers; a classic example was "Rawan Dawan" in the daily Jang, which focused on current issues.

Qasimi was the recipient of the President’s Pride of Performance (1968) and the Pakistan Academy of Letters’ lifetime achievement award, as well as the country’s highest civil honour, the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, for literature. Published collections of his best-known work include the poetry volumes Jalal-o-Jamal, Shola-i-Gul and Kisht-i-Wafa, and the short story collections Chopaal, Sannata, and Kapaas ka Phool, Bagolay, Tal-o-Gharoob, Sailab-o-Gardab, Anchal, ghar se ghar tak..

Following an illness, Qasmi died on the 10th of July, 2006 of complications from asthma at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology in Lahore. He was survived by a daughter Dr. Naheed Qasmi and a son Nauman Qasmi.

Urdu Poets ( Ibn-e- Insha)

Ibn-e-Insha (Punjabi, Urdu: ابن انشاء) (b. 15 June, 1927 d. 11 January, 1978) was an eminent Pakistani Leftist Urdu poet, humorist, Travelogue writer and Columnist. Along with his poetry, he was regarded one of the best humorists of Urdu. His poetry has a distinctive diction laced with language reminiscent of Amir Khusro in its use of words and construction that is usually heard in the more earthy dialects of the Hindi-Urdu complex of languages, and his forms and poetic style is an influence on generations of young poets.
He was born on June 15, 1927 as Sher Muhammad Khan (شیر محمد خان) in Phillaur tehsil of Jalandhar District, Punjab, India. His father hailed from Rajasthan. He did B.A. from Punjab University in 1946 and M.A. from University of Karachi in 1953. He was associated with various governmental services including Radio Pakistan, Ministry of Culture and National Book Centre of Pakistan. He also served UN for some time and this enabled him to visit a lot of places and was the reason of his subsequent travelogues. Some of the places that he visited includes Japan, Philippines, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Afganistan, Iran, Turkey, France, UK and US. Insha got the mentors like, Habibullah Ghazanfer Amrohvi, Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Khan and Dr. Abdul Qayyum. Insha spent much of his time in Karachi. He died of Hodgkin's Lymphoma on January 11, 1978 in London and was buried in Karachi.