Prof. Dr. Sabir Afaqi, educationist, writer, poet, author and critic, born in 1933, village Gohari (Muzaffarabad) did his M.A. (Urdu), M.A. (Arabic) and M.A. (Persian) from the Punjab University and B.Ed. from Peshawar University. He did his Ph.D. in Persian literature and language from Tehran University (1968-72).

For Thirty years he has served the education department and the University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir as associate professor and head of Urdu Department.

Dr. Afaqi  is a well known poet of Urdu, Persian, Punjabi and Gojri languages. More than one hundred articles on different research, literary and socio-cultural issues published in different well-known magazines of Pakistan and aboard as well as 50 books on different subjects go to his credit. Till date over fifty research scholars, in different fields, have quoted him in their research works.

His special field of interest is research and study of regional languages and literature, history and culture of Kashmir and comparative religion. He has attended many conferences, on these topics, held in Pakistan and various countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Srilanka, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau, He is a member of several literary Societies at home and aboard.

Qualification:

• PH.D (Iran)
• M.A Persian
• M.A Urdu
• M.A Arabic
• B.Ed
• Associate Professor (RTD) Azad Jammu & Kashmir University, Muzaffarabad

Carrer:

• He Started his career as a junior teacher high school (1952)
• Promoted to senior grade (1958)
• Appointed as second head master of high school (1963)
• Appointed as head master of high school (1962)
• Served as assistant inspector of schools (1966)
• Appointed lecturer Urdu (1967-68)
• Got scholarship from Iran government and joined Tehran University Iran (1968)
• Got doctorate in Persian language and literature (1972)
• Served as Professor in government collage Muzaffarabad (1972-80)
• Served as Associate Professor AJK University (1980-86)
• Got premature retirement (1986)
• Full time Researcher (uptil now) (1980-2007)
• Till now he has got two dozen national and international awards/shields
• In the month of august 2007 the Jammu University has honoured him with shield.
• The AJK university has established “Afaqi corner” in the main library.(2002)
• He delivered lectures or presented articles in conferences, seminars, in Pakistan and aboard.
• He is a member of several literary organizations of Pakistan like “academy of letters” (Islamabad) writers guild(Lahore), Bazmi-sakhun, Gojir Adabi board (Muzaffarabad).
• The Azad Kashmir Government has honoured him with “sanad-i-Imtiaz”
• He got two dozen Awards and shields from various insistutes.

Poetry:

Dr. Sabir Afaqi being Poet

He is a prominent poet of Urdu, Persian, gojri, Panjabi and hindku languages. The following collections have been printed so far.

Urdu poetry

• Shahr-i-Tamanna(Lahore) 1974
• Nae Musamun ki Basharat (Lahore) 2000
• Sar-i-Janan ka dard (Lahore)
• Khunda Hai Bija (Hamrous poetry)

Gojri Poetry

• Phul Khaily (1976)
• Sanjo Khalaro (1995)
• Paygham-i-Inqilab(1997)
• Kaisar Kayari (2001)

Persian Poetry

• Gulha-i-Kashmir(1974)
• Dar Justaju-i-Sayaara-i-Deegar (1191)
• Sham-i-Baha (1995)

His Works in Prose

• Kashmir in Islamic period Lahore
• Raja Tarangini ( Persian translation of kalhan’s raja tarangini, (Islamabad 1974)
• Kasrat-i-Nizzara (Urdu) travelling account (Lahore 1996)
• Jalva-i-Kashmir (articles on Kashmir), (Lahore 1988)
• Aks -i-Kashmir (articles on Kashmir), (Lahore 1991)
• Gojri Ka lal (Srinager 2005)
• Nagsh -i- Rang rang Urdu (Translation of Miraz Ghalib’s Persian Qsaid) (Karachi-2004)
• Burma  mein Urdu (Islamabad 1989)
• Rashhat-i-Abr, (Urdu) Biography of Ahsani  ginnuri (Muzaffarabad 1997)
• Gojri Adab (Panjabi) (Lahore 1985)
• Bhullein bisrin yad. (Muzaffarabad 2006)
• Mansoor hallaj Urdu translation (Lahore 2002)

His works under print

• Nayab hein ham (Urdu) biography
• Muzaffarabad, (Urdu) (History of)
• Safar nama-i-Kashmir (Urdu)
• Gojri Zaban wa adab (Urdu)
• In the land of lord (safar nama-i-Iran)

Awards:

• International Peace and harmony award by united religions institute(URI)
• Sami foundation Award (Belgium)
• Kashmir Adabi Award by Kashmir Academy
• Performance award by Safeena-e-Adab
• AJK University award
• Azad Kashmir President Award
• Radio Pakistan award by Radio Pakistan
• National Kashmir Award by the daily Siyasat
• Sami foundation Award (Belgium)
• District Council Award by District council
• Al-Kashmir Award by Pak Kashmir Society
• First position award by URI
• Shan-e-Gujar Award by GDCT Jammu
• Man of Letters Award
• Injuman Taraqqi-e Adab. Srinagar

Member of Literary organizations:

• Writers Guild of Pakistan
• Academy of Letters Pakistan
• Bazm -e- Sukhan Yangoon (Burma)
• Gojri Adabi Board,  Chairman
• Gojri  Tehreek Gilgit (Pattern)
• Member of Punjabi Alami Congress