WAQAR-E-PAKISTAN LITERARY RESEARCH CLOUD
WP LITERARY INTERVIEW
MUNAZZA SAHAR
Poet • Translator • Review Writer
English • Urdu • Punjabi
INTERVIEWED BY
MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM
Founder, Waqar-e-Pakistan Literary Research Cloud
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INTRODUCTION
Waqar-e-Pakistan Literary Research Cloud presents a literary conversation with Munazza Sahar, a poet, translator and review writer whose literary expression moves across English, Urdu and Punjabi.
With an M.A. in English and a Post Graduate Diploma in English Language Teaching (PGD-ELT), Munazza Sahar brings together her literary interests and professional experience as an English teacher. Her creative journey includes two published Urdu poetry collections, Roshni and Khoobsurat, while her translation work extends to poetry, fiction and travel writing.
Her English translation portfolio includes The Reflections by Dr. Sagheer Ahmad Sagheer, Twenty Days in the UK by Dr. Younas Khayal, Life is an Anguish Text by Dr. Shahida Dilawar, Seclusion of a Room by Qamar Raza Shahzad, and I Am Life by Samina Sayyad.
In this conversation, Waqar-e-Pakistan explores Munazza Sahar’s literary journey, multilingual creativity, poetry, translation, literary criticism, teaching, personal experiences and her understanding of contemporary Pakistani literature.
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INTERVIEW
MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
Munazza Sahar, welcome to Waqar-e-Pakistan Literary Research Cloud. Let us begin with your literary journey. When and how did you first discover your inclination towards poetry and literature?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
During my teenage years, while I was still in school, I greatly enjoyed reciting poetry in class. I also had a deep interest in listening to music, particularly the ghazals of legendary singers such as Noor Jehan, Nayyara Noor and many others.
My elders often gifted me literary magazines, and I also bought books and magazines of my own interest. Looking back, all of these experiences were major signs pointing towards my becoming a writer one day. At that time, however, I could not recognize where these interests were leading me because I was unaware of what my future held.
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MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
You are a poet, translator and review writer, while also working as an English teacher. How do these different aspects of your professional and literary life complement one another?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
All these literary aspects are closely connected. As a teacher of literature, I regularly engage with poetry, drama, short stories, novels and literary reviews while teaching my students.
English is also our second language, so translation naturally becomes an important part of literary and academic expression. Therefore, I do not really consider these activities as separate from one another. They all belong to the same literary and academic world that I inhabit.
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MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
You write in English, Urdu and Punjabi. What is the relationship between these three languages in your creative life?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
Punjabi is my mother tongue, Urdu has always been a part of my life, and English is my academic subject, which continues to walk beside me like a partner.
Every language has its own expression and emotional character. Each one gives my soul a different kind of energy, which eventually becomes intuition and creativity.
There are certain things that can be expressed in English but whose complete essence may not be conveyed in another language. The same is true for Urdu and Punjabi. What my soul absorbs, it eventually releases through the language in which that particular feeling finds its most natural expression.
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MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
Does the language itself determine the mood, subject or style of your poetry?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
Yes, one hundred percent.
Sometimes I may not even know what I am feeling at a particular moment or whether that feeling will eventually take a literary form. If the first line of a poem comes to me in a particular language, there is usually a specific emotional or experiential background connected with that idea.
Creativity makes its own decision first, and then my heart becomes involved with that particular sentiment. The language often arrives with the feeling itself.
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MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
Your first published Urdu poetry collection is Roshni. What inspired this book, and what does the title mean to you?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
Roshni belongs to the core ideas and inspirations of my early life. Whatever inspired me, I embraced that feeling as a form of guidance, carrying within it the deepest meanings of light.
Honestly, I cannot leave those meanings behind. They have become a part of my spiritual strength.
For me, Roshni is not merely physical light. It represents guidance, hope, awareness and an inner strength that continues to illuminate one’s journey through life.
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MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
What are the major themes and emotions that readers will encounter in Roshni?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
What else can there be other than love?
Love is the ultimate force behind every pain, and that pain is often behind every learning experience. No one can deny the fact that we are all entangled in something or another, trying to understand the bitter and sometimes painful realities of life through different experiences and at different levels.
Love, therefore, becomes both the source of suffering and a means of understanding.
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MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
Your second collection is Khoobsurat. How does it differ from Roshni, and what does it represent in your development as a poet?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
Those who suffer pain truly understand the value of a beautiful soul.
That is the whole point.
Roshni represents an earlier stage of my emotional and spiritual journey, whereas Khoobsurat reflects a deeper understanding of beauty through experience, suffering and emotional maturity.
Pain changes the way we see beauty. When a person has experienced hardship, beauty is no longer merely something external; it becomes something deeply connected with the soul.
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MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
What usually inspires you to write a poem?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
We do not necessarily have to wait for inspiration or intuition.
The more we suffer, the more we write, because writing becomes a way of expressing our emotional phases. Experiences, especially intense ones, naturally create an urge to express what is happening within us.
Sometimes poetry is simply the language through which an otherwise unspoken emotion finds its voice.
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MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
How important are personal experiences, relationships, nature, beauty and social realities in your poetry?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
They are all part of the fabric of our existence, and we respond to them according to our emotional and intellectual capacity.
Whatever exists in my life is important because God has given us nothing useless. Everything has something to teach us. Our relationships, experiences and encounters with nature train and shape us, often without our realizing it.
If I can listen carefully enough to understand the message hidden within these experiences, then I am learning. All of those lessons collectively become pathways towards creation.
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MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
Do you believe poetry should primarily express the poet’s inner world, or should it also respond to society and its problems?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
I believe it works, and should work, at both levels.
An experienced and polished writer gradually acquires the ability to speak about both the inner self and the outer social world. A poet can address social problems as well as personal emotions, depending upon the circumstances and realities affecting them.
Poetry can therefore become both a mirror of the soul and a reflection of society.
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TRANSLATION
MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
Let us talk about translation. What motivates you to translate literary works, and what attracts you towards this field?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
Translation gives literature the opportunity to travel beyond the boundaries of one language. I am particularly interested in translation because it creates a bridge between writers and readers who otherwise might never encounter one another’s work.
For me, translation is not simply replacing words from one language with words from another. It is an attempt to understand the original writer’s emotions, cultural background, tone and intention, and then recreate them naturally in another language.
A translator has to remain faithful to the spirit of the original work while also making the translated text meaningful and readable for a new audience.
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MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
You have translated poetry, fiction and travel writing. Is translating poetry more difficult than translating prose?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
Yes, poetry can be particularly challenging because poetry contains layers of meaning, rhythm, imagery, symbolism and emotion.
In prose, the translator usually has more space to explain an idea, but poetry often communicates through a few carefully chosen words. A small change can affect the emotion or meaning of an entire line.
The translator therefore has to understand not only what the poet says, but also what the poet feels and leaves unsaid.
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MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
How do you maintain the original writer’s voice while making a translation natural in English?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
This requires a balance between faithfulness and creativity.
I first try to understand the writer’s voice, context and intention. After that, I look for expressions in the target language that can communicate the same emotional impact without making the translation sound artificial.
A good translation should feel natural in the new language, but it should still carry the identity of the original writer.
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MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
What challenges do Pakistani writers face when their work is translated into English?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
One major challenge is the cultural background behind the text. Pakistani literature contains many expressions, traditions, relationships and social references that may not have direct equivalents in English.
A translator must therefore understand both languages as well as the cultures behind them.
Another challenge is that translated Pakistani literature needs greater visibility. We have many talented writers whose work deserves to reach international readers, but language barriers often prevent that from happening.
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LITERARY REVIEW AND CRITICISM
MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
You are also a review writer. What do you look for when reviewing a literary work?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
I try to look beyond the surface of a literary work. I consider its theme, language, structure, emotional depth, originality and the way the writer communicates with the reader.
A review should not simply praise or criticize a book. It should help the reader understand what the writer is attempting to achieve and how successfully the work achieves it.
For me, literary reviewing is another form of dialogue with literature.
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MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
Do you think literary criticism should encourage writers or challenge them?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
It should do both.
Constructive criticism helps a writer understand the strengths and weaknesses of their work. Excessive praise does not necessarily help a writer grow, while unfair criticism can discourage creativity.
A good critic should therefore be honest, balanced and respectful. The purpose should be to strengthen literature, not to weaken the confidence of the writer.
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TEACHING AND LITERATURE
MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
As an English teacher, how do you encourage students to develop an interest in literature?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
Students need to experience literature rather than simply study it for examinations.
I try to help them connect literary texts with their own emotions, experiences and surroundings. When students realize that poetry, stories and novels are not merely academic subjects but reflections of human life, they naturally become more interested.
Literature teaches us to understand people, emotions and different perspectives. That is why it remains important even in an increasingly technological world.
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MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
Do you think young Pakistani writers are receiving enough opportunities and platforms today?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
There are more opportunities than before, especially because of digital platforms and social media. Young writers can now publish and reach readers without depending entirely on traditional publishing structures.
However, opportunities alone are not enough. Writers also need serious literary guidance, constructive criticism, quality publishing and platforms that preserve their work.
Digital platforms can play a major role in creating a permanent literary record for future researchers.
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CONTEMPORARY PAKISTANI LITERATURE
MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
How do you view contemporary Pakistani literature, particularly the new generation of writers?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
I see considerable potential in the new generation. They are experiencing a rapidly changing society, and naturally their writing reflects new questions, anxieties and realities.
At the same time, young writers need to remain connected with the literary heritage of the past. Innovation becomes stronger when it is rooted in an understanding of literary history and tradition.
Our literature should move forward without forgetting where it came from.
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MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
What role can digital literary platforms play in preserving Pakistani literature?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
Digital literary platforms can play a very significant role.
They can preserve interviews, books, reviews, research papers, poetry, biographies and other literary material in a way that can remain accessible to future generations.
They can also connect writers, researchers and readers across geographical boundaries. In this sense, a digital literary archive is not merely a website; it can become a living record of a literary culture.
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THE WRITER’S INNER WORLD
MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
What does literature mean to you personally?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
Literature is a way of understanding life.
It allows us to express what we cannot always say directly. It gives shape to emotions, preserves experiences and creates a connection between one human being and another.
For me, literature is also a form of inner dialogue. Sometimes we discover ourselves through the words we write.
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MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
After writing poetry, translating literature and reviewing books, what do you believe literature has taught you about human life?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
It has taught me that human beings are much more complex than what appears on the surface.
Everyone carries experiences, pain, dreams and struggles that may remain invisible to others. Literature allows us to enter those unseen worlds.
Perhaps this is why love, pain, beauty and relationships continue to appear repeatedly in literature. They are universal experiences, even though every individual experiences them differently.
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MESSAGE TO YOUNG WRITERS
MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
What message would you like to give to young poets, writers and translators who are beginning their literary journeys?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
Read before you write.
Read widely, listen carefully and observe life. Do not rush towards publication simply for recognition. Develop your voice first.
A writer must remain a student throughout life. Experiences teach us, books teach us, people teach us and even pain teaches us.
Write honestly. Do not imitate someone else’s voice. Your own experiences and your own way of seeing the world are your greatest literary assets.
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LOOKING AHEAD
MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
What are your future literary plans? Are there any new books, translations or projects that you would like to share with our readers?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
I would like to continue writing, translating and exploring literature across languages.
There is still much to learn and much to express. I hope to continue working on projects that connect languages and cultures and allow literary voices to reach wider audiences.
For me, the journey itself is important. As long as there are experiences, emotions and questions in life, there will always be something to write.
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MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
Finally, what does poetry mean to Munazza Sahar?
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
Poetry is the voice of what remains unspoken.
It is the form that emotions take when ordinary language is no longer enough. Sometimes it comes from love, sometimes from pain, sometimes from beauty and sometimes from silence.
Perhaps poetry is simply the soul finding its own language.
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CLOSING NOTE
MIAN WAQAR UL ISLAM:
Munazza Sahar, thank you for sharing your literary experiences, insights and reflections with the readers of Waqar-e-Pakistan Literary Research Cloud.
Your journey across poetry, translation, literary reviewing and teaching reflects the richness of Pakistan’s multilingual literary tradition. Your thoughts remind us that literature is not confined to a single language or form; rather, it is a continuing dialogue between the individual, society, culture and the human spirit.
We wish you continued success in your literary and academic journey and hope that your work will continue to build bridges between English, Urdu and Punjabi literature.
MUNAZZA SAHAR:
Thank you to Waqar-e-Pakistan Literary Research Cloud for providing this opportunity for literary dialogue and for preserving the voices and contributions of Pakistani writers and researchers.
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WAQAR-E-PAKISTAN LITERARY RESEARCH CLOUD
A Digital Archive for Pakistani Literature, Writers & Researchers
Interviewed by:
Mian Waqar ul Islam
Founder, Waqar-e-Pakistan Literary Research Cloud
