Ashfaq Hussain

Ashfaq Hussain

Ashfaq Hussain, a Canadian of Pakistan origin, is a well-known poet and writer. He is considered one of the pioneers of Urdu literary activities in Canada. Ashfaq published a highly reputable quarterly literary journal, Urdu International, under the guidance of Faiz Ahmed Faiz. He was the Associate Editor of a children’s book series, a joint project of the Multicultural Department, Government of Canada, and Urdu Chair of McGill University, to prepare Urdu reading and writing materials for Canadian students as well as a teaching manual for Urdu teachers. In 2011, he was honoured with the prestigious President of Pakistan’s Pride of Performance Award. Some of his poetry collections include Aitbar (1979), Hum Ajnabi Hain (1992), Aashian Gum Karda (2009), Mein Gaya Waqt Naheen Hoon (2010), Gardish Mein Hain Saat Aasman (2014), and Eik Hatheeli pe Gulab (2014). His English translations include That Day Will Dawn (1985) and The Ocean Searches for Me (2015).