Khalid Ahmad

Khalid Ahmad, PP (5 June 1943 – 19 March 2013)

Family Khalid belonged to a learned family of academic and literary background. His father, known by his alias “Ahmaq Phaphoondvi”, spent most of his life in prison for writing against the British rule. His mother, Anwar Jahan Begum, was his father’s second wife and had seven children from her first marriage. Several of Khalid’s step-siblings, including Khadija Mastoor and Hajra Masroor, gained international recognition as authors.

Early life Following the partition of British India in 1947, four-year-old Khalid, along with his mother and step-siblings, relocated to Pakistan. His father, however, chose not to migrate, as he was against the partition.

Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) He worked as both an essayist and playwright for the Pakistan Television Corporation, writing numerous drama serials, plays, and documentaries. He gained recognition for creating dramas without traditional villains, which led to his writing Kajal Ghar. Among his dramas, Kajal Ghar, Kiran and Ghubar were rated as the number one shows on PTV throughout their broadcast. "tark-e-talluqat pe roya na tu na main

lekin ye kya ki chain se soya na tu na main"

Monthly Bayaz He also published his Urdu monthly literary magazine "Bayaz" for 22 years, before his death. It featured many famous poets, including Jaun Elia, Ahmad Faraz, Habib Jalib and Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi.

Selected bibliography

Books Tashbeeb Hatheliyon par Charagh Pehli Sada Parinde Ki Aik Muthi Havaa Daraz Palkon ke Saaye Saaye Jadeed Tar Pakistani Adab Nam Garifta Received the Qaumi Adabi Award (Iqbal Award) in 1999, from the prestigious Pakistan Academy of Letters for his Urdu poetry book "Daraz Palkon Ke Saaye Saaye". In 2021, the Pakistan Academy of Letters released an Urdu book on his life and work, which was part of their series; "Pakistani Adab Ke Maymar".

The literary community expressed their condolences and grief over his death. Amjad Islam Amjad, in his tribute, shared that he had lost a lifelong companion, describing him as a poet of substance and a man with a strong resolve. A large number of people from the literary circles attended Khalid Ahmad’s funeral.