Karachi: Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi organized the launch of renowned poet Ahmed Imtiaz’s poetry collection “Waham o Gumaan Hone Se Pehle” at the Haseena Moin Hall. The ceremony was chaired by Abbas Rizvi. Poetess Shahida Hasan gracing the event as the chief guest. Notable speakers included Nasir Shamsi, Zahid Hussain Johri, Ahmed Shakeel, and Rukhsana Saba, while the event was moderated by Shahabuddin Shahab.
In his president address, Abbas Rizvi, praised the collection, saying, “I had heard many of Ahmed Imtiaz’s verses before, but seeing them in print brings immense joy. ‘Waham o Gumaan Hone Se Pehle’ is truly deserving of congratulations.” He also drew comparisons to literary giants such as Mirza Ghalib and Jigar Moradabadi, calling Ahmed Imtiaz an important link in the chain of poets who express their pain through poetry.
Chief guest Shahida Hassan shared her thoughts, calling Ahmed Imtiaz a sensitive poet. She noted, “When words pass through pain, grief, and tears, such poetry is born. He has penned his life’s experiences and memories into this book. As readers, it feels as though the poet is having a conversation with himself, a challenging yet profound task. Imtiaz is aware of life’s harsh realities. His poetry holds sadness and solitude, but never despair. His choice of words is exceptional.”
Rukhsana Saba, a well-known literary figure, remarked that Ahmed Imtiaz’s poetry collection is a valuable addition to Urdu literature. She mentioned that reading his work evokes a mix of emotions, and his poetry often discusses human suffering, love, and relationships. “Imtiaz has presented the concept of self and the universe in a unique, poetic way,” she said.
Ahmed Shakeel described Ahmed Imtiaz as one of the great poets of the present era, with a poetry centered on sorrow. Zahid Hussain Johri compared the book to a building, explaining that like an empty structure that comes alive when someone inhabits it, the book gains life when a reader engages with it.
Nasir Shamsi highlighted the deep emotional expressions in Imtiaz’s work, noting that the collection has a psychological depth, which sets it apart.
Ahmed Imtiaz himself spoke humbly about his poetry journey. “I never felt like a great poet,” he said. “But Rukhsana Saba made me realize my worth. I never even imagined publishing a book. Some people are born into light and travel their lives in it, while I was born into darkness. I was born during the partition era when violence and bloodshed were rampant. I don’t know where my inclination for poetry came from, but I had an immense love for reading books.”
