Mehr Abdul Haq

Mehr Abdul Haq (1915–1995) was a Pakistani philologist, linguist, research scholar, critic and historian whose work made an important contribution to the study of Saraiki language and literature.

Born on 1 June 1915 in Layyah, Mehr Abdul Haq pursued a career in education and research. He eventually completed a PhD from the University of the Punjab, Lahore, with his doctoral research examining the relationship between the Multani language and Urdu.

After completing his education, he served in Pakistan's education department in various positions and retired from government service in 1970. His academic interests remained closely connected with language, literature and the cultural history of the Saraiki-speaking region.

Mehr Abdul Haq is particularly remembered for his contribution to Saraiki linguistics. His research examined the history, structure and development of the language and its relationship with neighbouring linguistic traditions.

He was also a research scholar and critic of Saraiki literature. His work extended into the study of Khwaja Ghulam Farid, one of the most important figures in Saraiki Sufi poetry. His research on Faridiat contributed to the scholarly study of the poet's life, thought and literary legacy.

Mehr Abdul Haq's scholarship helped establish language and literary research as important areas of study within the Saraiki intellectual tradition. His work brought together linguistics, literary criticism, history and cultural research.

His academic contribution received national recognition when he was awarded the Pride of Performance by the President of Pakistan in 1994.

Mehr Abdul Haq died in Multan on 23 February 1995. He is remembered as one of the scholars who contributed to the academic study and documentation of Saraiki language, literature and cultural history.

His legacy remains particularly important in the fields of Saraiki linguistics, literary research and the study of Khwaja Ghulam Farid.