Sayyada Arshia Haq

Sayyada Arshia Haq was born in 1990 in Haripur and now resides in Sydney, where she is regarded as part of an emerging generation of Urdu poets. Her poetic work has captured attention for its bold emotional honesty, clarity, and engagement with themes of identity, gender, belonging, and emotional integrity.

Her body of work spans ghazals, short couplets, and qitaats, with thoughtful words that resonate across cultural divides. One of her memorable couplets asks:

“tum bhī ākhir ho mard

kya jaano

ek aurat kā dard

kya jaano”

These lines sharply question empathy and understanding, calling attention to emotional disconnects between genders in simple yet powerful terms.

Another verse of hers boldly declares resistance against oppression:

“hijāb karne kī bandish mujhe gawarā nahīñ

ki merā jism koī māl-e-zar tumhārā nahīñ”

This couplet confronts restrictive expectations placed on women, asserting bodily autonomy and personal dignity.

Her poems are accessible in Urdu, Hindi, and Roman scripts, often accompanied by audio and video recitations that broaden their reach. She is recognized for poetic clarity that speaks directly to contemporary emotions.

Though still early in her literary journey, Sayyada Arshia Haq has emerged as a distinct voice, one who combines emotional insight with social commentary. Her verses, modest in number but rich in effect, mark her as a poet to watch among today’s Urdu literary voices.