Literature

Pakistan literature, that is, the literature of Pakistan, is a distinct literature that gradually came to be defined after Pakistan gained nationhood status in 1947, emerging out of literary traditions of the Indian subcontinent. The shared tradition of Urdu literature and English literature of British India was inherited by the new state. Over a period of time a body of literature unique to Pakistan has emerged in nearly all major Pakistani languages, including Urdu, English, Punjabi, Balochi, Pushto and Sindhi.

 

Urdu Literature

Being the national language, Urdu literature is mostly popular in Pakistan. Additionally, it enjoys substantial popularity in India and is widely understood in Afghanistan. Urdu is finding interest in foreign countries primarily through South Asians.

 

Notable figures of Urdu Literature

• Saadat Hassan Manto
• Ashfaq Ahmed
• Faiz Ahmed Faiz
• Ahmed Faraz

Saadat Hassan Manto

Ashfaq Ahmed

Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Ahmed Faraz

 

 

 

English literature

Pakistani English literature refers to English literature that has been developed and evolved in Pakistan, as well as by members of the Pakistani diaspora who write in the English language. English is the official language of Pakistan and has a history going back to the British colonial rule in South Asia (the British Raj); the national dialect spoken in the country is known as Pakistani English. Today, it occupies an important and integral part in modern Pakistani literature.

 

Notable figures of English Literature

• Alamgir Hashmi
• Daud Kamal
• Shahid Suhrawardy
• Muneeza Shamsie

Alamgir Hashmi

Daud Kamal

Shahid Suhrawardy

Muneeza Shamsie

 

 

Punjabi Literature

Punjabi literature refers to literary works written in the Punjabi language particularly by peoples from the historical Punjab region of India and Pakistan including the Punjabi diaspora. The Punjabi language is written in several different scripts, of which the Shahmukhi, the Gurmukhi scripts are the most commonly used.

 

Notable figures of Punjabi Literature

• Fakhar Zaman
• Afzal Ahsan Randhawa
• Najam Hussain
• Najm Hosain Syed

Fakhar Zaman

Afzal Ahsan Randhawa

Najam Hussain

Najm Hosain Syed

 

Pashto Literature

In Pakistan, Pashto is the regional language of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. In 1984, Pashto was permitted to be used as the medium of instruction in primary schools. Pashto literature and poetry refers to literature and poetry in Pashto language.

 

Notable figures of Pashto Literature

• Khushal Khan Khattak
• Ghani Khan
• Hamza Baba
• Rahman Baba

Khushal Khan Khattak

Ghani Khan

Hamza Baba

Rahman Baba

 

Sindhi Literature

The Sindhi language is ancient and rich in literature. Its writers have contributed extensively in various forms of literature both in poetry and prose. Sindhi literature is very rich and is generally considered to be among the worlds oldest.

 

Notable figures of Sindhi Literature

• Sheikh Ayaz
• Zaib Sindhi
• Tariq Alam Abro
• Hassam-ud-Din Rashidi

Sheikh Ayaz

Zaib Sindhi

Tariq Alam Abro

Hassam-ud-Din Rashidi

 

Balochi Literature

Balochi literature is also much rich and affluent. Balochistan is the province of Pakistan but in actual, Balochistan is a country divided among three countries – Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. Balochi is quite famous language and is communicated heavily in Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. In addition to these countries, Balochi is also spoken in India, the Arab Gulf States, Turkmenistan and East Africa.

 

Notable figures of Balochi Literature

• Saba Dashtyari
• Ata Shad
• Gul Khan Nasir
• Syed Zahoor Hashmi

Saba Dashtyari

Ata Shad

Gul Khan Nasir

Syed Zahoor Hashmi