Shaikh Ayaz
Shaikh Ayaz, born Mubarak Ali Shaikh on 2 March 1923 in Shikarpur, Sindh, was a celebrated Pakistani poet and writer who wrote in Sindhi and Urdu. He also worked as a lawyer and served as vice-chancellor of the University of Sindh. Over six decades, he wrote more than 50 books including poetry, biographies, plays and short stories.
He is best known for translating Shah Jo Risalo, the classic Sindhi poetry collection by Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, into Urdu, which made him a prominent voice in South Asian literature. His poetry covers traditional forms like bait and nazm as well as modern azad nazm and ghazal, and is known for its romantic and progressive spirit. He published Urdu poetry in Booye Gul, Nalai Dil and Neel Kanth Aur Neem Ke Pate, and Sindhi poetry in Bhounr Bhire Akas.
Ayaz received Pakistan’s Sitara-i-Imtiaz for his contributions to literature. He died on 28 December 1997 in Karachi at the age of 74 and was buried in Bhit Shah. His legacy continues in Sindhi literature, and in 2018 Shaikh Ayaz University was established in Shikarpur in his name. He was survived by his wife, Zareena Ayaz, and their two sons and three daughters.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 04:55 (CET).