Nilofar Iqbal

Nilofar Iqbal, a distinguished writer based in Islamabad, is renowned for her contributions to modern Urdu literature. She has authored acclaimed short story collections such as ’Ghanti’, ’Surkh Dhabbe’, and ’Syaah Sona’. Despite limited widespread attention, her work is celebrated for its boldness and powerful communication, significantly contributing to the realist tradition.

In the preface to ’Ghanti’ (1996, reissued in 2022), Nilofar states, ‘My short stories neither seek to reform mankind, nor threaten Islam. There is no trickery or deliberate ambiguity. There is no shadow of ‘resistance literature’ either. I have no vain hopes.’ This reflects her straightforward and daring storytelling approach.

Nilofar’s literary journey began with writing in English for her university magazine. Her career took off after Colonel Muhammad Khan encouraged her to write for his humorous Urdu magazine, leading to recognition from literary giants like Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi and Mirza Adeeb.

Her stories are known for strong character development, which she believes is essential for impactful narratives. Nilofar emphasizes that well-developed characters are at the heart of any story, deeply influencing readers’ emotions.

Her book ’Syaah Sona’ was awarded the Saadat Hassan Manto Award for best creative fiction in 2023 by the Pakistan Academy of Letters. She has also completed her novel ’Sunehra Haathi’.