Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi, one of the foremost intellectuals of 20th century and an artist par excellence, is known for his camaraderie with literary giants like Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Ahmed Faraz and Manto. He excelled in poetry, literary criticism, short stories and column writing.
Qasmi was very active in the Progressive Writers' Movement (PWM) and was selected as the general secretary of the PWM for Punjab. Parveen Shakir and Amjad Islam Amjad are among many of his notable students.
He left for heavenly abode on 10th July 2006.
English translation: By M. Abdullah
A Request!
Closed are all the doors to explore life for me
To look beyond the apparent is here a felony
To think beyond the convictions and beliefs is here a felony
To peek through the veils of the mysteries is here a felony
To Ask, 'Why'? A felony; to enquire, 'how'? a felony!
The freedom to breathe is granted
But to live as a human, the need goes beyond
To mention that 'beyond' is too a felony
Oh! the skilful creators of politics and norms
Oh! the Lords of the castle of beliefs
In the name of life, bestow on me but one wish
Grant me permission to commit all these felonies