Born on January 12, 1931, in Kohat as Syed Ahmad Shah, the poet initially wrote under the name Ahmad Shah Kohati. However, under the guidance of the legendary Faiz Ahmed Faiz, he later adopted the name Ahmad Faraz, a name that would become synonymous with eloquent Urdu poetry.
Ahmad Faraz made his poetic debut with the collection “Tanha Tanha,” published during his graduation, thereby laying the foundation for a prolific career. His poetry enriched the Urdu language, portraying a unique blend of elegance and simplicity.
Acknowledged as one of the greatest Urdu poets of his time, Faraz’s creative prowess was marked by his unwavering honesty and courage. In the aftermath of the military coup in 1977, he fearlessly used his pen to critique military dictator Gen Ziaul Haq, an act that led to his imprisonment and a six-year exile during the military rule.
His literary contributions were celebrated with numerous awards, including the Adam Jee Literary Award, Sitara-e-Imtiaz, and Hilal-e-Imtiaz, bestowed upon him by the government of Pakistan.
Ahmad Faraz departed from the world on August 25, 2008, leaving behind a profound impact on Urdu literature. His final resting place is in Islamabad, where his contributions to the language and his courage in the face of adversity continue to be remembered and celebrated.
