A Brief Overview of Pakistani Literature in English

Pakistani Literature in English refers to the literature produced in Pakistan written in the English
Language. Ever since 1947; the Independence of Pakistan, the influence of the English language
is seen as dominant as there had been, and are many literary figures who use the English
Language for expressing their ideas and to satisfy their aesthetic pleasure. Later in the 20th
century, it was observed that after the imitation of this literature from the west, the people of the
subcontinent started to develop their literature in the English language highlighting the themes of
colonization and the need for freedom. In the later part of the century, after the independence of
Pakistan and the division of the subcontinent, the themes presented by the literati were different.
The major theme presented was the miseries due to partition. Other than these miseries, the
themes included identity crisis and feminism also highlighting the socio-political, ideological,
religious, and ethnic problems of the newly established Pakistani society.

(1) Poetry:

The most significant genre of Pakistani literature in English is poetry. Taufiq Rafat was the pioneer
of Pakistani poetry and he in his works mostly dealt with the theme of nature; presenting the
constructive and destructive nature of it. His major works include Wedding in the Flood(Read
Analysis) Kitchen (Summary and Analysis) and Arrival of the Monsoon. The second most
prominent figure in Pakistani poetry in the English language is Daud Kamal who is known for his
imagist poetry. The poems such as Resilence and Prayer Beads (Summary and Analysis)
incorporates different images of nature by presenting the connection of humans with this universe.
The third most significant figure and last of the ‘Big Three’ of Pakistani Poetry is Alamgir Hashmi
(born 1951- present). His poetical works include Eid (Summary and Analysis), Snow (Summary
and Analysis), Encounter with the Sirens (Summary and Analysis)and many more. Other
significant poets include Omer Tarin, Hanif Koreshi, Waqas Ahmed Khwaja, Moniza Alvi, and
Zulfikar Ghose.

(2) Novel:

The second most important genre of Pakistani Literature in the English language is the Novel. The
very first novel written in the subcontinent in the English language was Ahmad Ali’s “Twilight in
Delhi” (1940). After partition novelists like Zulfiqar Ghose, Bapsi Sidhwa, Sara Sulehri, Kamila
Shamsie, and Mohsin Hamid made significant contributions in the field of the novel by presenting
their unique ideas and themes. Ice-Candy Man by Bapsi Sidhwa presents realism and political
tension in the contemporary. Realism was the most significant feature of Pakistani Novels,
especially modern age novels. Mohsin Hamid is one of the most significant writers of the new age
depicts this realism in his novel The Reluctant Fundamentalist (Summary and Themes) and the
discrimination Muslims had to face after the destruction of the Twin Tower on September 11,
2002. Murder of Aziz Khan by Zulfiqar Ghose is one of the famous novels of this period.
(3) Short Stories:

The third most significant genre is the short stories. It traces its origin from Saadat Hassan Manto
(1912–1955) and Syed Waliullah’s time. The most significant short stories include Zulfiqar Ghose’s
‘The Zoo’ dealing with existential nihilism, “A Pair of Jeans” by Qaisra Sheraz (Summary)dealing
with the significance of clothing in Pakistani society and how it determines one’s modesty,
“Nawabdin Electrician” by Daniyal Mueenudin (Summary)dealing with the evil of corruption and
“The Gatekeeper’s Wife” (Summary) by Ruskhsana Ahmed highlighting one of the biggest social
evil of Pakistani society i.e. poverty. These short stories present the problems of society and also
serve as a means of teaching values.

Drama: In Pakistan, English drama has had a limited tradition as an art form. The very few
significant dramatists include Rukhsana Ahmad, Tariq Ali, and Hanif Kureishi. One of the most
significant dramas includes “The Last Metaphor” (Summary and Themes) by Usman Ali. This
drama not only represents Pakistani culture by highlighting many social evils but also incorporates
many features of a modernistic text. The reason for this limited scope of Pakistani Dramatists and
drama was because of less scope of English language in Pakistan.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, one may say that these writers in the English language depict the accurate and true
picture of Pakistani society as they present before us the flesh and blood of Pakistani society in
the most realistic ways.