Shakir Shujabadi

Muhammad Shafi Shakir Shuja Abadi, widely known as Shakir Shujaabadi, is a prominent contemporary Saraiki poet from Shujabad in the Saraiki-speaking region of Pakistan. He is recognised for his contribution to Saraiki poetry and for bringing the language's literary expression to a wide audience.

Shakir writes primarily in Saraiki and has also written poetry in Urdu. His poetry is known for its accessible language, emotional depth and reflections on love, hardship, hope, social realities and the experiences of ordinary people. His work has become an important part of modern Saraiki literary culture.

The Poetry Translation Centre describes Shakir Shujaabadi as one of the best-known poets writing in Saraiki today. His poetry has also reached audiences outside Pakistan through English translations. Poems including “Hope Against Hope,” “Autumn Leaves,” “Shakir, How Strange” and “You Deserted Me in Rohi” have been translated through the Poetry Translation Centre's workshops.

His poetry collection “Qalam-e-Shakir,” published by Jhoke Publishers in Multan in 2005, has been an important source for translations of his work. His writing frequently draws on the emotional and cultural vocabulary of the Saraiki region, including references to Rohi and the wider landscape and traditions of the Saraiki Waseb.

Shakir's literary career has also included public mushairas and cultural gatherings. His poetry has become widely recognised for expressing both personal emotions and broader social experiences, including perseverance in difficult circumstances.

In recognition of his services to Saraiki poetry and literature, the Department of Saraiki at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur honoured him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. The university described him as an important figure in Saraiki language and literature and highlighted the popularity and cultural significance of his poetry.

The Islamia University of Bahawalpur subsequently approved an honorary PhD for Shakir Shujaabadi. On November 11, 2023, the university formally awarded him the honorary degree during a special convocation. IUB described him as a major reference point for Saraiki language and literature and recognised the lasting impact of his poetry on Saraiki culture.

Shakir Shujaabadi's work represents the continuing strength of contemporary Saraiki literature. Through poetry rooted in the language, emotions and experiences of the Saraiki region, he has contributed to preserving and expanding the literary heritage of the Saraiki Waseb for new generations.