Ammar Iqbal (عمار اقبال) is a prominent contemporary Pakistani Urdu poet, writer, translator, and literary figure known for his innovative and socially conscious poetry.
He was born on February 25, 1986, in Karachi, Pakistan. He later moved to and currently resides in Lahore.
Ammar Iqbal gained significant recognition in the Urdu literary world with his debut poetry collection Parindagai (پرندگئی, meaning something like “bird-like state” or “flight”) published in 2015, which received wide acclaim for blending traditional forms with fresh, modern ideas. He has since established himself as a versatile voice, mastering ghazal, nazm, and experimental forms.
His notable works include:
- Parindagai (2015) – Ghazals and nazms.
- Manjh Roop (منجھ روپ) – Focused on nazms.
- Pronnet (پرونیٹ) – An innovative fusion genre he introduced, combining prose and sonnet-like poetic expression.
- Translations such as Manjh Roopiyat (from Kafka) and Ajnabi (from Camus).
- He has published around ten books across poetry, philosophy, fiction, and translations in Urdu, English, and Hindi, released from publishers in Pakistan, India, and London.
His poetry often explores themes of emotion, cultural identity, social consciousness, and innovation while respecting Urdu poetic traditions. He is praised for proving his skill in ghazals before expanding into nazms and other forms, earning appreciation from serious readers and critics.
He is also noted for his association with teaching and radio broadcasting departments in the past. Little is publicly detailed about his personal life, as he keeps it relatively private.
Overall, Ammar Iqbal stands out among younger Urdu poets in Pakistan for his creative depth and contributions to modern Urdu literature.
Overall, Ammar Iqbal stands out among younger Urdu poets in Pakistan for his creative depth and contributions to modern Urdu literature.