Renowned Poet and Scholar Professor Dr. Nazir Tabassum Passes Away During Mushaira

Pakistan’s literary community is mourning the loss of Professor Dr. Nazir Tabassum, a celebrated poet, researcher, and teacher, who passed away from a heart attack during a mushaira (poetic gathering) on Saturday night in Peshawar.

Born as Nazir Ahmad on January 4, 1950, in Peshawar, Dr. Nazir Tabassum dedicated his life to Urdu literature and education. He received his early schooling from Machi Hatta and later earned higher degrees from Peshawar University, completing his M.A. in Urdu in 1974 and obtaining a Ph.D. in 2003. His doctoral thesis, “Urdu Ghazal Poets of the Frontier After the Creation of Pakistan”, earned widespread respect in academic circles.

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Dr. Tabassum’s career as an educator was equally distinguished. He taught at Federal Government College Islamabad and Islamia College Peshawar before joining the Department of Urdu at Peshawar University in 1978. He served there with dedication until his retirement in 2010. Many of his students now contribute actively to the fields of education and literature across Pakistan.

As a poet, Dr. Nazir Tabassum carved a unique place in Urdu literature. His poetry collections — Tum Udaas Mat Hona, Kaise Raigan Huye Hum, and Abhi Mausam Nahin Badla — reflect deep personal emotions, social concerns, and cultural glimpses of Peshawar. His verses carried themes of inner reflection and contemporary struggles, making him a respected literary voice.

Beyond poetry, he wrote critical and research-based articles in various journals and remained actively involved in organizations such as Bazm-e-Sukhan, Halqa-e-Arbab-e-Zauq, and the Progressive Writers’ Association.

Writers and scholars describe his death as an irreparable loss for Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s literary landscape. His name will always remain a respected part of Urdu literature’s history.

FAQs

1. Who was Professor Dr. Nazir Tabassum?
He was a renowned Urdu poet, researcher, and teacher from Peshawar, known for his poetry and academic contributions.

2. When did Dr. Nazir Tabassum pass away?
He passed away on August 30, 2025, after suffering a heart attack during a mushaira.

3. What were his major works in poetry?
His famous collections include Tum Udaas Mat Hona, Kaise Raigan Huye Hum, and Abhi Mausam Nahin Badla.

4. What was his contribution to research?
His Ph.D. thesis on Urdu ghazal poets of the Frontier after Pakistan’s creation is highly regarded in literary studies.

5. Why is his death considered a big loss?
He played a vital role in Urdu poetry, research, and teaching, leaving behind a legacy that shaped generations of students and writers.