Afkar Alvi (also known as Afkar Hussain Alvi or افکار علوی) is a contemporary Pakistani poet renowned for his work in both Urdu and Saraiki languages. He hails from the village of Gohar (or Goharwala) in District Bhakkar, South Punjab, Pakistan, a region part of the Saraiki (or Siraiki) cultural belt.
Early Life and Entry into Poetry
Afkar Alvi developed a passion for poetry from a young age. His early work was primarily in Saraiki, his native language. He began writing after being inspired during a local mushaira (poetry gathering) in his village. Initially, his father was hesitant about his pursuit of poetry, but later supported him. One of his earliest poems is the Saraiki piece titled “Meenh” (Rain). He gained widespread recognition through his Urdu poetry, blending Saraiki elements to add richness, flavor, and emotional depth. His style is noted for being unique, fearless, and impactful, often addressing themes of societal realities, pain, separation, alienation, cruelty in human behavior, and criticism of social or institutional issues.
Famous Works
Afkar Alvi rose to prominence with his powerful nazm (poem) “Murshid” (often transliterated as Murshid or Murshad), which became one of the most popular and viral Urdu/Saraiki poems in recent years. It critiques worldly hypocrisy and human cruelty, earning him the affectionate title “Murshid” among fans. The poem is widely recited in mushairas, shared on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, and has been performed in various videos and interviews.
Other notable pieces include ghazals and nazms such as:
- “Murshid Please Aaj Mujhe Waqt Deejie”
- “Jo Bhi Izzat Ke Dar Se Dar Jaaye”
- Works exploring love, societal pain, and existential themes.
His poetry is characterized by bold expression, deep emotional resonance, and a mix of Urdu with Saraiki phrasing for added authenticity and intensity.
Career and Public Presence
Afkar Alvi is active in mushairas across Pakistan and has a significant online following. He has faced challenges related to freedom of expression, including reports of scrutiny over his critical verses, leading to an affidavit in recent years pledging to focus on poetry promoting peace and harmony while avoiding content deemed defamatory to institutions.
He is regarded as a bright, young voice from the Saraiki region, pioneering fearless expression in modern Urdu and Saraiki poetry.
His work continues to inspire audiences through live performances, recordings, and social media, making him one of the notable contemporary poets in Pakistan’s literary scene.