ISLAMABAD:Famous Urdu poet, writer and columnist Zafar Iqbal turned 90 on Wednesday. Born on September 27,1933, he received his basic education in Okara, his hometown and later moved to Lahore for higher education. His poetry is mainly in the genre of Ghazal. The diction of his ghazal is entirely different from traditional Urdu poetry. He is a lawyer by profession, and regularly contributes articles to some Urdu newspapers. In contrast to classical poets, Zafar’s poetry portrays love as scientific and physical rather than supernatural.
Besides being a poet, he has been a newspaper columnist for different newspapers for over 35 years.
A professional lawyer for most of his adult life, he practised as an attorney, first in Okara and then in Lahore until 2003.
His poetic collections included Tamjid,Taqweem,Tashkeel,Tajawaz,Tawarid,Tasahil,Hay Hanuman,Ab Tak. Books written by Zafar Iqbal included Aab-i-Rawan, Gul Aftab, Ratb-o-Yabis, Ghubaaralood Simtaun Ka Suragh,Sar-i-Aam,Aib-o-Hunar and Vehm-o-Gumaan.
In recognition of his services Zafar Iqbal was given Pride of Performance Award by President of Pakistan in 1999 and Hilal-i-Imtiaz Award in 2014.