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Pakistani literature () is a distinct literature that gradually came to be defined after Pakistan gained nationhood status in 1947, emerging out of literary traditions of the Indian subcontinent.

There have been many bibliographies and biographical dictionaries documenting Pakistani writers, including the Ahl-i-Qalam Directory published by the Pakistan Academy of Letters and often revised, in its 2010 edition including 3,500 writers but only those alive at that time.

History

The nature of Pakistani literature soon after independence aroused controversy among writers due to its being centred heavily on the negative events related to the independence movement.

Saadat Hasan Manto (1912–1955), a prominent writer of short stories writing mainly in Urdu, produced great literature out of the events relating to the India-Pakistan partition. His literature is considered to be progressive in its tone and spirit. According to several critics it had not only evolved its own identity but also had played a significant role in documenting the hardships and hopes of Pakistan in the 20th century.

Digests

Since 1960s Pakistan had periodicals called digests. There are hundreds of such digests. Emerging authors Kamila Shamsie and Daniyal Mueenuddin have garnered wide attention.

As of 2018, it was estimated that more than 100 Pakistani authors had collectively published over 150 novels, short-story collections and anthologies in English.

See also

  • Pakistani poetry
  • Pakistani comics
  • Postcolonial literature
  • Book publishing in Pakistan
  • Progressive Writers' Movement
  • Karachi Literature Festival

References

Further reading

  • Kamran, Gilani, 2004, Pakistan Literature: Evolution & trends
  • Pakistani Literature: The Contemporary English Writers edited by Alamgir Hashmi (New York: World University Service, 1978; Islamabad: Gulmohar Press, 1987) (2nd ed.). (OCLC #19328427; LC Card #87931006)
  • A Dragonfly in the Sun: An Anthology of Pakistani Writing in English, edited by Muneeza Shamsie (Karachi: Oxford University Press, 1997).
  • Leaving Home: Towards a New Millennium: A Collection of English Prose by Pakistani Writers, edited by Muneeza Shamsie (Karachi: Oxford University Press, 2001).
  • Post Independence Voices in South Asian Writings, edited by Alamgir Hashmi, Malashri Lal & Victor Ramraj (Islamabad: Alhamra, 2001).
  • Rahman, Tariq. 1991. A History of Pakistani Literature in EnglishLahore: Vanguard Publishers (Pvt) Ltd.
  • "Pakistani Authors Catch Literary World's Attention", Rob Gifford, Morning Edition, NPR, May 29, 2009
  • Pakistaniaat: A Journal of Pakistan Studies
  • BookExchange: Pakistan Top Book Exchange
  • Pakistani Literature