Akhtar Raza Saleemi

Akhtar Raza Saleemi is a renowned poet, novelist, writer, critic, and editor. He writes in Urdu, Hindko, and Potohari languages. Saleemi began his literary career with poetry, particularly excelling in the genres of Ghazal and Nazm. His notable poetry collections include ‘Ikhtara,’ ‘Irtafa,’ and ‘Khawab Daan’.

In addition to poetry, Saleemi has made significant contributions to Urdu literature through his novels. His first novel, ‘Jaagein Hain Khawab Mein,’ and his second, ‘Jandar,’ have been well-received, with ‘Jandar’ winning the UBL Literary Award for Fiction in 2019. His fiction often blends magic realism with historical elements, focusing on themes like dreams and death.

Saleemi’s work has earned him several accolades, including the Quaid-e-Azam Literary Gold Medal and the Allah Bakhsh Yousfi Award. He currently serves as an editor at the Pakistan Academy of Letters, contributing to various literary magazines.