Mohsin Naqvi

Biography

Mohsin Naqvi was a gifted Pakistani poet whose voice carried both the intimacy of love and the intensity of faith and protest. Born Syed Ghulam Abbas Naqvi in Dera Ghazi Khan in 1947, he grew up in a modest household and studied literature, eventually earning a Master’s degree in Urdu from the University of the Punjab in Lahore. It was in Lahore that his literary career flourished, and he became a prominent name in mushairas.

Naqvi’s poetry combined romantic lyricism with deep religious devotion. His ghazals spoke of longing and beauty, while his marsiyas and nohas reflected his Shia heritage and devotion to the Ahl al-Bayt (family of the Prophet). He brought a fresh voice to marsiya poetry, making it resonate strongly with younger generations. His work also addressed social and political injustice, giving him a reputation as a poet who could speak for both love and resistance.

His collections, including Azaab-e-Deed, Furat, and Band-e-Qaba, revealed his command of language and his ability to capture both delicate feelings and fierce emotions. The musical quality of his verse made it especially powerful when recited aloud, and many of his poems became staples at majalis and literary gatherings.

In his personal life, Mohsin Naqvi was known for his humility, warmth, and dedication to his art. However, his outspoken themes and his connection to Shia expression also brought him into conflict during a turbulent period in Pakistan’s history. Tragically, he was assassinated in Lahore in 1996 at the age of 48, a victim of sectarian violence.

His death was a huge loss to Urdu literature, cutting short the life of a poet who still had much to give. Yet his verses live on, recited at gatherings, quoted in literature, and remembered by admirers across Pakistan and beyond.

Mohsin Naqvi is remembered as a poet of passion, faith, and defiance. His words bridged the worlds of romance, spirituality, and social protest, making him one of the most unforgettable voices of modern Urdu poetry.