Saeed Ahmad Akhtar

Who is Saeed Ahmad Akhtar?

Saeed Ahmad Akhtar is an Urdu poet, playwright and educationist. He came up with his 1st Urdu poetry collection “Diyaar e Shab” in 1976. It was the best selling book of the year and got many awards including the "Abbasin Arts Council Award" for the best book of the year. He has published 12 Urdu poetry collections and one English poetry collection so far. All his books sold out like hot cakes. He has also written many plays and documentaries for Pakistan television and Radio Pakistan.

He was born on March 3, 1933 in Pishin, Pakistan. He did his masters in English Literature from Peshawar University in 1958 and then masters in Urdu Literature from the same University in 1965. After working as a lecturer and professor of English in the provincial Education Department since 1954, he joined the West Pakistan Civil Service in 1968 as Assistant Political Officer. He served in many Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as Assistant Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Additional Commissioner for 22 years, he retired in 1990.

He belongs to Kulachi Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and is permanently settled in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Poetry, music and educational social work have been the passion of his life. "Love for all and hatred for none" has been the moving forces of his life. He remained a member of syndicate and selection board of the Gomal University for years. Saeed Ahmad Akhtar has participated in various symposia in Pakistan and abroad.He died on 20th of August 2013.