Abdullah Shahab a Khow Poet

Abdullah Shahab is a rising poet of Khowar language; let’s read his biography, stay with us;

Name: Abdullah

Nickname: Shahab

Complete name: Abdullah Shahab

Father: Sher Nawaz Khan

Place of Birth: Kusham Goshen

Primary Education: Government Maktab School Goshen Kasham and Sir Syed Public School Kushum

Middle: Govt High School, Kushum

Matriculation: Government High School Drasun

FSC and BA: (Urdu+Political Science) Government Degree College, Chitral.

MA (Urdu) Department of Urdu, University of Peshawar.

MPhil Urdu: Chhatrar University

Brothers:

Abdullah Shahab has two Brothers;

1. Tahir Abbas elder

2. Sharif Abbas is younger.

Both of them are employed in Chitral Scouts.

Sisters:

And he has four sisters;

1. Shamsiya Qamar

2. Rashida Bibi

3. Asia Bibi

4. Asifa Bibi.

All his sisters are older than Abdullah and are married.

Among his brothers, Tahir Abbas Subedar of Chitral Scouts is the elder and Shahab is the second last among siblings. The younger brother he has is Sharif Abbas. His father died when he was in his first year. After his father’s passing, his elder brother took on the responsibility of supporting the family. It was including Abdullah’s education, allowing him to pursue his academic and literary dreams especially, Khowar.

How Abdullah Shahab Became a Poet?

According to Abdullah, his father used to study and listen to poetry maximum of his time. During the era of tape recorders, he often listened to Khowar songs. Abdullah and his father had spent much time as compared to other siblings. Because they had had matched mental tastes also explanations and debates. From which literary taste gradually developed. Although his father passed away when he was young the seeds of poetic appreciation had already taken root through his father’s guidance He wrote and read a Khowar poem when he was in grade 9 for Ustad Muhammad Nazir Khan on his retirement.

درِ مکتبار محترم راہی ہوئے

دیتی خدماتان سے انجام راہی ہوئے۔

Abdullah Shahab says, at an early age I was normally called Abid. Later, when I recited kalam in a district mushaira at the town hall for the first time in 2009, Zakir Zabri Sahib and Azhar Ali Azhar Sahib suggested the name Shahab which I liked. Gradually I enhanced my area of literature and started writing poetry, prose, and fiction.

Some of his favorite poets are Zakir Muhammad Zahari, Aminur Rahman Chaghatai, and Moeezuddin Bahram.

Professional career

He spoke for Radio Pakistan during his stay in Chitral city for around four years. After graduating from university in 2015, he taught at Khyber Education Service, Ghazali Institute of Medical Sciences, Qurtaba School and College Peshawar. He was lucky to be selected as a Lecturer for Aga Khan Education Service Pakistan.  In 2019, he joined the Aga Khan Education Service, where he served as a lecturer in Urdu at Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Koragh. The commitment to his abilities Abdullah was recognized in 2022 when he passed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission examination. He took up a position as an Urdu lecturer at Government Degree College, Chitral. His friend Munawar Zaman Zareef states that Abdullah is one of the most credible and dedicated poets of his era.

Favorite Teachers

Abdullah also reveals that he shares a bit of extra love with some of his teachers. The list starts with Muhammad Nazir Khan, Professor Inayatullah Faizi, Professor Ziaul Haq, Professor Muhammad Sabir Khan, Dr. Rubina Shaheen, and Dr. Salman Ali are included.

Other Desires of Abdullah Shahab

Beyond the arena of literature and education, Abdullah is deeply connected to Chitral’s cultural heritage. Particularly in his love for polo, a popular local sport. His favorite player is Shehzad Ahmed Shahji, who truly exercises the skills associated with this traditional game. Abdullah’s personal interests include traveling, which provides inspiration for his poetry and connects him to new cultures and landscapes. Among his favorite foods are traditional Khowar dishes. While he holds a special fondness for grapes as his preferred fruit, black as his favorite color, and the countryside as his ideal escape.

Love for Native Culture

Abdullah Shahab continues to make a profound impact as both an educator and poet. He blends the cultural richness of Chitral with the broader world of Urdu literature. His works resonate with readers who appreciate poetry’s power to preserve tradition, reflect personal journeys, and address universal themes. This wonderful approach definitely works to enrich the literary landscape of his homeland.

Literary Organizations

President: Chitral Cultural Development Organization

Joint Sectary: Anjuman Tarqi Khowar Peshawar

General Sectary: Yakzaban Karawan Adab.

Sadar: Halqa Ahle Sukhan.

Vice President: Anjumn Forogh e Adab.

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