PESHAWAR: A dignified and intellectually vibrant book launch ceremony was arranged here the other day under the auspices of the Human Care Foundation (HCF), a not-for-profit body working for improvement in the field of health, education, welfare and literature.

Poets, writers and scholars gathered to formally launch Rani Shafiqur Rehman’s much-anticipated critical Urdu study titled “Dr Ishaq Wardag: Person and Poet”. The event brought together prominent literary figures to honour one of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s significant contemporary Urdu poets.

Prof Tajuddin Tajwar, a distinguished researcher and critic, chaired the session. The special guests included acclaimed fiction writer Professor Khalid Sohail Malik and renowned travelogue and column writer Naz Parveen, while senior producer Sardar Azam Khan from Radio Pakistan Peshawar graced the occasion as guest of honour.

Young critic, Mansoor Sahil efficiently conducted the proceedings. He lauded the book under debate as crash course for budding writers.

Rani Shafiqur Rehman’s critical study on Dr Ishaq Wardag unveiled

The ceremony commenced with the formal unveiling of the book. In his welcome address, Muhammad Salman, chairman of the Human Care Foundation, extended warm greetings to the guests and highlighted the foundation’s contributions to social and cultural initiatives. He was joined by Fawad Ahmad, CEO of the foundation along with other enthusiasts who added to the gathering’s warmth.

Mansoor Sahel delivered a thoughtful paper titled “Locality in Ishaq Wardag’s Poetry,” in which he positioned Prof. Ishaq Wardag as an important innovator in modern Urdu poetry from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He particularly praised Wardag’s collection “Shehr Mein Gaon Ke Parinday” (Birds of the village in the city) as a valuable addition to the evolving tradition of Urdu poetry in the province. Mr Sahel highlighted how Ms Rani’s book offers a comprehensive analysis of Wardag’s life, poetic philosophy, style and diction.

He noted that the study vividly captured the cultural, social and psychological nuances of Peshawar and surrounding areas through Wardag’s verses, blending rural sensibilities with urban realities.

Prof. Khalid Sohail Malik examined Ishaq Wardag’s poetic journey within the context of Peshawar’s literary landscape. He congratulated the author on her meticulous work and observed that the book provided profound insights into the thought system and stylistic innovations of contemporary Urdu poetry. According to him, Wardag has given Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a fresh identity in modern Urdu poetry.

Naz Parveen lauded the analytical depth of the book regarding Wardag’s poetry and personality. She pointed out the relative scarcity of critical works by women researchers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and expressed the hope that Rani Shafiq- ur -Rehman’s effort would help fill this gap, strengthening the tradition of criticism and research in the region.

In his paper, Dr. Tajuddin Tajwar described the depiction of modern sensibilities in Wardag’s poetry as the hallmark of his individuality. He noted that scholarly works from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rarely appear in book form and commended Rani Shafiq -ur -Rehman for transforming her research into a published study.

He praised her thorough examination of key aspects of “Shehr Mein Gaon Ke Parinday” and congratulated her on approaching the subject with the rigor of a true researcher.

The event concluded on a poetic and celebratory note as Dr Ishaq Wardag himself recited his fresh verses. Marking the poet’s birthday, a cake was cut, and guests were treated to gracious hospitality with tea and refreshments.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2026