Muhammad Izhar ul Haq

Born on 14 February 1948 in the village Jhendial, in the district of Attock in Punjab, Muhammad Izhar ul Haq got his early education from his grandfather and father. His grandfather, Ghulam Muhammad, was a famous scholar and jurist of his time and was known to teach Persian literature and language. Muhammad Izhar ul Haq's father, Hafiz Muhammad Zahoor ul Haq Zahoor, also a scholar of high repute, was author of a number of books in Persian and Urdu in poetry as well as prose.[3] Muhammad Izhar ul Haq topped in Government College Rawalpindi in graduation examination and was awarded Federal Government Inter-wing fellowship under which he did his MA Economics from Dhaka University. Later, he did MA in Arabic from Punjab University as external candidate and also learnt Uzbek language in Islamabad. In 1972, he joined the Civil Service of Pakistan after qualifying the Central Superior Services competitive examination. He ascended to the highest echelon of bureaucracy in the federal government, before retiring in 2008.[4]

Muhammad Izhar ul Haq has three sons and two daughters, and lives with Zahida Izhar, his wife, in Islamabad and Melbourne.

Muhammad Izhar ul Haq has published five books of Urdu poetry:

• Diwaar-e-aab (winner of Adamjee Literary Award 1982)
• Ghadr (1986)
• Paree-zaad (1995)
• Paani peh Bichha Takht (winner of Allama Iqbal Award 2003[5])
• Kai Mausam Guzar Gaye Mujh Par (collection of earlier four books) (2012)

His first book, Diwaar-e-aab (1982) won Adam Jee award, the highest literary distinction at that time in the country. His two subsequent books in Urdu poetry, Ghadr and Paree-zaad hit the stalls in 1986 and 1995 respectively. His fourth book, Paani peh Bichha Takht, was conferred another honour, Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal award, in 2003, and was received with much critical acclaim. Izhar ul Haq's kulliyat (complete works) of poetry, "Kai Mausam Guzar Gaye Mujh Par", consisting of his earlier four books of poetry in one volume, was published in 2012.

English translation of Izhar ul Haq's poetry can be read in the anthology "Pakistani Urdu Verse, Oxford University Press 2010", translated and edited by Yasmeen Hameed.[6]

Muhammad Izhar ul Haq is best known in the classical genre of Ghazal, although his mastery in free-verse and prose-poem has also been established among the literary circles of South Asia. Endorsing his art of poetry, the veteran Pakistani fiction writer Intizar Hussain commented that Izharul Haq is equally well-versed in the ghazal as well as in free verse. In both forms, he has been able to devise a diction, which distinguishes his verse from those of his contemporaries.[7] He is one of those prominent poets of the 1970s who revisited the tradition and blended it with Islamic and historical metaphors in order to define their own individuality. He has been termed an established poet with a unique diction and ideological stance.[8][9]

Yasmeen Hameed in her review published in DAWN notes that Izhar ul Haq's style is distinctly modernistic and he is considered a trend setter in modern Urdu ghazal. His diction and metaphorical expression keep the readers' imagination occupied with the ways and virtues of the Muslim past. He also relives his own experiences through the glory that once was and uses this link to understand the relevance of the present, its cultural shifts, its dilemmas and peculiar attitudes.[10]

Muhammad Izhar ul Haq writes columns in the leading Urdu newspapers of Pakistan and abroad. He has been a regular columnist in Jang, Daily Jinnah, Nawaiwaqt, Daily Dunya, and presently in Daily 92 News.[11] Themes and topics of his columns usually relate to politics, society, reform and development, morality, and ethics etc. Izhar ul Haq is a witty commentator on social issues and is noted for his unique style of literary prose and especially his command over classical Urdu and Persian literature. The title of his Urdu column is "Talkh Nawai", which translates to "bitter discourse". Veteran Urdu columnist Rauf Klasra in his preface to "Talkh Nawai" notes that Izhar ul Haq's command and mastery over classical literature is equally impressive whether it is Urdu, English, or Persian, and he has the ability to effectively use his literary prowess in his columns.[12] Izhar ul Haq is also an occasional contributor in The News (Jang group), The Bangladesh Today, The Age (Australia), and various other national and international newspapers.

Izhar ul Haq has also contributed in the research for implementation of Urdu in Pakistan, with the National Language Authority, and also contributed as one of the compilers of the Qaumi English-Urdu Dictionary, published by the National Language Authority. In addition, he contributed with Pakistan Academy of Letters in compiling yearly selection of Pakistani literature.[13]

For his services to Urdu literature and poetry, Muhammad Izhar ul Haq was awarded Pride of Performance by the government of Pakistan in 2008. The Capital Development Authority of Islamabad titled its library "Gosha-e-Izhar" in 2017 after Muhammad Izhar ul Haq's iconic literary contribution.[14]

• Zafar Iqbal
• Jon Elia
• Anwar Masood
• Yasmeen Hameed

• Official Website of Muhammad Izhar ul Haq
• Online collection of Izhar ul Haq's poetry at Urdu Point
• Online collection of Izhar ul Haq's poetry at Rekhta.org
• Literary Interview with Izhar ul Haq
• Interview in DAWN
• Review of Kayi Mausam Guzar Gaye Mujh Par by Zafar Iqbal
• Review by Mushir Anwar
• Izhar ul Haq at Urdu Society of Australia
• Poets discuss contemporary Pakistani poetry and society
• One day symposium on “The Role of Writers in National Security”
• English translation of selected poems of Izhar by Muhammad Salim ur Rehman
• Muhammad Izhar ul Haq in Sydney Mushaira