جنگ کسی مسئلے کا حل نہیں، فیض کی نظم ’سپاہی کا مرثیہ‘ سنیے
جنگ کسی مسئلے کا حل نہیں۔ جنگ کا اختتام کسی کی فتح اور کسی کی شکست پر نہیں ہوتا۔ جس وقت ایک حکمران فتح…
Faiz Ahmed Faiz: A window to what could have been
Most of us recognize Faiz Ahmed Faiz for his immortal poetry. Few are aware that Faiz Ahmed Faiz was also a prolific prose writer…
The verse of freedom
In a powerful exploration of resistance poetry in indigenous languages, I discovered marginalized poets challenging mainstream Pakistani identity in moving verse. Much has been…
Remembering Faiz and his Culture Policy of early 1970s
Today is the 26th death anniversary of Faiz Ahmed Faiz whose life and works are national assets. Faiz was a torchbearer of the glorious…
The words of others
My piece published in the Friday Times last week For decades, Pakistan’s poets and writers have defied conventions and the almighty establishment. Rooted in…
Dhaka by degrees
How poor are they who have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees. -William Shakespeare I grew up in the post-East…
Visiting Dhaka- “We are strangers now?”
The warmth of people and the magic of old Dhaka overwhelms you. Having said that, Dhaka is bursting on the seams with a gushing…