Saeed Ahmad Akhtar

Saeed Ahmad Akhtar was an Urdu poet, playwright and educationist. He published his first Urdu poetry collection Diyaar e Shab in 1976. The book got several awards including the Abbasin Arts Council Award for the best book of the year. He published 12 Urdu poetry collections and one English poetry collection. He also wrote many plays and documentaries for Pakistan television and Radio Pakistan.

He was born on 3 March 1933 in Pishin, Pakistan. He completed his master's in English Literature from Peshawar University in 1958 and then master's in Urdu Literature from the same university in 1965. After working as a lecturer and professor of English in the provincial Education Department from 1954 onwards, 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 belonged to Kulachi, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and permanently settled in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Poetry, music and educational social work remained the passion of his life. "Love for all and hatred for none" was the moving force of his life. He remained a member of syndicate and selection board of the Gomal University for years. Saeed Ahmad Akhtar participated in various symposia in Pakistan and abroad. He died on 20 August 2013.

Literary contributions

Diyaar e Shab (Anthology of Urdu poetry) 1976 Sath e Aab (Anthology of Urdu poetry) 1978 Chandni Ke Saaye (Anthology of Urdu poetry) 1981 Khwabgeenay (Anthology of Urdu poetry) 1983 Le Gai Pawan Uraa (Anthology of Urdu poetry) 1987 Pata Toota Daal Se (collection of the 1st five books) 1987 Pooja Ke Phool (Anthology of Urdu poetry) 2000 Varshanjali (Anthology of Urdu poetry) 2002 Songs from the Desert (Anthology of English poetry) 2003 Abb Ke Bichray Kab Milain (Anthology of Urdu poetry )2007 Door Paray Hain Jaa (Anthology of Urdu poetry) 2009 Ghonghat Ka Patt Khol Ri( Anthology of Urdu poetry) 2010 Baichay To Bik Jaoun (Anthology of Urdu poetry) 2011 Samar Hayat Ka (Intikhab) (A selection from all collections) 2023