Pakistan’s literary culture has grown through poets whose work appears in books, mushairas, newspapers, universities, television, and public readings. Urdu remains central to much of this writing, while Punjabi and English have their own place in the country’s poetry. Many of these poets have spent decades writing, teaching, translating, broadcasting, or working in journalism and fiction.
Poetry in Pakistan has long been read in books and heard at mushairas and literary gatherings. Newspapers, television, universities, and literature festivals have given poets other places to present their writing. The poets featured here followed different paths into literature. Their work covers Urdu, Punjabi, and English poetry, along with translation, teaching, broadcasting, journalism, and fiction. Every poet included below is still part of Pakistan’s literary life.
Living Poets Who Continue to Shape Pakistani Literature
Their writing ranges from ghazal and nazm to prose poetry, humor, satire, and newer forms of verse. Their careers also cover several generations of Pakistani writing.
Kishwar Naheed
Kishwar Naheed holds an MA in Economics from Punjab University and has spent decades writing Urdu poetry. Her published poetry includes Lab-e-Goya, Benaam Musafat, and Galiyan Dhoop Darwaze. She has also written eight books for children. Her work in children’s literature received a UNESCO award. Kishwar has stayed involved in literary programs and poetry gatherings, including events held in 2026. Her writing has covered poetry, children’s literature, and other literary work across a career spanning several decades.
Zehra Nigah
Zehra Nigah writes ghazals and nazms and has also worked as a scriptwriter and lyricist. Shaam Ka Pehla Tara and Firaq are among her published poetry collections. She has received the Pride of Performance for her literary work. Her fifth poetry collection, Tarasheedam, appeared in 2025. The book includes ghazals, nazms, couplets, and short poems. Zehra was also part of the Karachi Literature Festival in 2026, where she appeared in sessions centered on poetry and her literary career.
Anwar Masood
Anwar Masood writes in Punjabi, Urdu, and Persian and is closely associated with humor and satire. Teaching came before his postgraduate studies. Financial problems kept him from joining an MA program straight after graduation, so he began teaching at a school in Kunjah. He later completed his master’s degree at Oriental College in Lahore. His writing includes serious poetry alongside humorous verse, often using language and situations taken from everyday life. Anwar was still giving interviews and speaking about his poetry at age 90 in August 2026.
Afzal Ahmad Syed
Afzal Ahmad Syed is an Urdu poet and translator who has lived in Karachi since 1976. His poetry includes free verse, prose poems, and ghazals. His poetry collections include Chheeni Hui Tareekh, Do Zabanon Mein Saza-e-Maut, Rococo Aur Doosri Dunyain, and Khaima-e-Siyah. His collected poetry appeared as Mitti Ki Kaan in 2009. He received the Pride of Performance in 2024. Afzal also teaches at Habib University, where he is listed as Associate Professor of Practice in Comparative Humanities. Poetry, translation, and teaching remain part of his literary work.
Harris Khalique
Harris Khalique writes poetry in English, Urdu, and Punjabi. His published work includes ten poetry collections and two books of nonfiction. He also writes essays, articles, and newspaper columns. His Urdu poetry collection Melay Mein received the UBL Literary Excellence Award in 2013. He received the Pride of Performance in 2018. Harris remained involved in literary events during 2026, including poetry sessions at the Karachi Literature Festival.
Ali Akbar Natiq
Ali Akbar Natiq writes poetry, novels, and short stories in Urdu. His poetry collections include Be Yaqeen Bastiyon Mein and Yaqoot Ke Waraq, while Qaimdeen is a collection of short stories. A 2025 profile recorded 16 published books across poetry, novels, short stories, research, criticism, and autobiography. His work continued in 2026. A new short-story collection, Bunglay Ki Baoli, appeared that year, while an English translation of his poetry was published in the Spring 2026 issue of Lakeer.
Iftikhar Arif
Iftikhar Arif moved to Pakistan in 1965 after spending his early years in Lucknow. His poetry collections include Mehr-e-Doneem, Harf-e-Baryab, and Jahan-e-Maloom. He has also held senior positions at literary and language institutions in Pakistan. His honours include the Pride of Performance, Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, and Nishan-e-Imtiaz. The Nishan-e-Imtiaz was announced in 2023 and awarded to him in March 2024. Iftikhar has also continued to appear at literary events through 2026.