Top 20 Famous Urdu Novel Writers
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Quick Answer: The 20 most famous Urdu novel writers on romanticurdunovels.com, grouped by what they write best, with their best known novels linked. Every book is free to read online and download.
Romantic Urdu Novels readers ask us the same question every week: which writer should I read next? This list answers it. Twenty writers, grouped by what they write best, with their best known novels linked on this site.
New to Urdu novels? Start with Humsafar by Farhat Ishtiaq for romance, Khofnak Imarat by Ibn-e-Safi for thrills, and Rooh-e-Yaram by Areej Shah for the new online style. Each writer below has a complete list page with every book we carry.
The Great Romantics
Love, family and social drama, written by the names that define Urdu fiction.
1. Umera Ahmed
Her novels are the ones readers quote back to you. Born in Sialkot and educated at Murray College, Umera Ahmed is a Pakistani writer, author and screenwriter. Her stories first appeared in monthly Urdu digest magazines, and her writing career dates to 1998. Peer-e-Kamil, Aab-e-Hayat and Alif are her best known novels.
Best known works on this site: Peer-e-Kamil, Aab-e-Hayat, Alif.
Complete list of Umera Ahmed novels.
2. Nimra Ahmed
Her first novel came out in 2007, and she has not slowed down since. Nemrah Ahmed Khan writes as Nimra Ahmed, a Pakistani Urdu novelist born on 9 September 1990 in Bhakkar, her family originally from Mianwali. She holds a master’s degree in English literature, and her first novel, Mere Khuab Mere Jugnu, was published in 2007. Jannat Kay Pattay, Namal and Haalim are her best known novels.
Best known works on this site: Jannat Kay Pattay, Namal, Haalim.
Complete list of Nimra Ahmed novels.
3. Farhat Ishtiaq
Few writers have had so many novels turned into hit dramas. Born in Karachi on 23 June 1980, Farhat Ishtiaq is a Pakistani writer, novelist and screenwriter. Humsafar, Mata-e-Jaan Hai Tu and Diyar-e-Dil made her famous, and her novels have been adapted into some of Pakistan’s most watched television dramas.
Best known works on this site: Humsafar, Mata-e-Jaan Hai Tu, Diyar-e-Dil.
Complete list of Farhat Ishtiaq novels.
4. Hashim Nadeem
His first novel made him a household name in 2000. Khuda Aur Muhabbat, first published on 1 May 2000, was Hashim Nadeem’s first novel, and it made him a household name in Urdu fiction. The Pakistani novelist and drama writer is also known for Bachpan Ka December, Abdullah, Parizaad and Muqaddas, and his novels have been adapted into famous television dramas.
Best known works on this site: Khuda Aur Muhabbat, Muqaddas, Parizaad.
Complete list of Hashim Nadeem novels.
5. Maha Malik
Her novels put women’s lives at the centre. Maha Malik, a Pakistani novelist and screenwriter, began her career through Khawateen Digest. She is known for portraying Pakistani women’s lives, struggles and cultural stigmas, most famously in Jo Chalay Tou Jaan Say Guzar Gaye and Meray Khwaab Reza Reza.
Best known works on this site: Jo Chalay Tou Jaan Say Guzar Gaye, Meray Khwaab Reza Reza.
Complete list of Maha Malik novels.
6. Mehrunissa Shahmeer
She wrote a Partition novelette at nineteen. Mehrunissa Shahmeer, who signs herself Mehrul Nisa Shahmeer, is a Pakistani novelist. Bakht and Bismil are her best known books, with Baab-e-Dehar and Bogi Number 12 beside them. Bogi Number 12, a historical novelette about the 1947 Partition, was written when she was nineteen.
Best known works on this site: Bakht, Bismil, Bogi Number 12.
Complete list of Mehrunissa Shahmeer novels.
Spy Thrillers and Crime
For readers who want suspense with their romance.
7. Ibn-e-Safi
Every Urdu detective story written since owes him something. The Imran Series is one of the most famous detective and spy thriller series in Urdu literature, and Ibn-e-Safi created it. Its hero is Ali Imran, a secret service agent, and the first 18 Jild of the series are by Ibn-e-Safi. Mazhar Kaleem wrote 13 more Imran Series novels with the same hero after him.
Famous novels: Khofnak Imarat, Bhayanak Aadmi, Raat Ka Shehzada.
Mazhar Kaleem continued the series with Calender Killer, Khamosh Cheekhain, Bagop.
Complete list of Ibn-e-Safi novels.
8. Tania Tahir
Love, revenge and suspense in the same story. Tania Tahir writes Urdu romance, suspense and crime fiction, with emotionally intense stories of love, revenge, family bonds and personal struggle. She began sharing stories in Facebook groups before launching her own Facebook page. Surkh Anchal, Serial Killer and Gharoor are her best known novels.
Best known works on this site: Surkh Anchal, Serial Killer, Gharoor.
Complete list of Tania Tahir novels.
9. Suneha Rauf
A newer voice, already with six novels online. Suneha Rauf writes Urdu romantic novels about love, relationships and family. Her novels were already circulating on aggregator sites by December 2022. Shiddat-e-Talab, You Are My Only Desire and Safar Tuj Se Raab Tak Ka are her best known novels.
Best known works on this site: Shiddat-e-Talab, You Are My Only Desire, Safar Tuj Se Raab Tak Ka.
Complete list of Suneha Rauf novels.
10. Mehwish Ali
Her novels travel from Facebook episodes to complete PDFs. Mehwish Ali writes romantic, emotional and socio-romantic fiction as a Pakistani Urdu novelist. Her novels first appeared on Facebook in episodes before spreading to novel websites, and Dasht e Wehshat was shared episode by episode on her Facebook page in February 2020. Dasht-e-Wehshat, Ehd-e-Ulfat and Junoon-e-Ulfat are her best known novels.
Best known works on this site: Dasht-e-Wehshat, Ehd-e-Ulfat, Junoon-e-Ulfat.
Complete list of Mehwish Ali novels.
Memoir, Stage and Satire
Three writers who are famous without writing a single novel between two of them.
11. Qudratullah Shahab
The only memoir on this list, and one of its finest books. Qudratullah Shahab (1917 to 1986) was a Pakistani civil servant and Urdu writer who rose through the Indian Civil Service to senior posts in Pakistan, including Principal Secretary to three heads of state. His autobiography Shahab Nama, published after his death, is his best known book. He also wrote the novel Ya Khuda and the short story collection Maan Ji.
Best known works on this site: Shahab Nama, Ya Khuda, Maan Ji.
Complete list of Qudratullah Shahab novels.
12. Anwar Maqsood
He belongs here for what he did to Urdu humour, not for a novel. Born on 7 September 1939, Anwar Maqsood is a Pakistani scriptwriter, television presenter, satirist and humorist. Fifty Fifty, Aangan Terha and Loose Talk are among his best known work. He never wrote a novel, a memoir or a short story collection, so no book page for him exists on this site.
There is no book page for him on this site. See our 50 Best Urdu Novels list for the novels we do carry.
13. Muhammad Younus Butt
Thirty books, and not one of them a novel. Best known for the television show Hum Sab Umeed Say Hain, Muhammad Younus Butt is a Pakistani screenwriter, humorist and columnist. He has written more than thirty books, mostly humour and satire collections such as Shaitaniyan, plus television drama scripts. No novel is among them, so this site carries no novel page for him.
There is no book page for him on this site. See our 50 Best Urdu Novels list for the novels we do carry.
The Facebook Generation
Writers who found their readers online first, one episode at a time.
14. Areej Shah
The online era made her a star before print ever did. Areej Shah writes romantic and social fiction as a Pakistani Urdu novelist. She started as a social media writer on Facebook, where her serialized stories found a large following. Little is publicly known about her private life. Rooh-e-Yaram, Deewangi and Junooniyat are her best known novels.
Best known works on this site: Rooh-e-Yaram, Deewangi, Junooniyat.
Complete list of Areej Shah novels.
15. Husny Kanwal
Her readers come back for the feelings, not just the plots. Based in Karachi, Husny Kanwal is a Pakistani Urdu novelist and fiction writer. She was born on 23 August in Karachi, and her own book biography gives no birth year, so none is given here. Her emotionally driven, romantic fiction includes Jugnu, Raazdar Mohabbat and Piya Main Teri.
Best known works on this site: Jugnu, Raazdar Mohabbat, Piya Main Teri.
Complete list of Husny Kanwal novels.
16. Farwa Khalid
Episode by episode, she built one of the largest online followings. Farwa Khalid is a contemporary Pakistani Urdu novelist whose romantic and emotional fiction is popular with online Urdu fiction readers. Her novels were first posted on Facebook in episodes, and her fans wait for each new episode. Ishqbaaz, Sanson Mein Basa Hai Tera Naam and Tu Hi Meri Junooniyat are her best known novels.
Best known works on this site: Ishqbaaz, Sanson Mein Basa Hai Tera Naam, Tu Hi Meri Junooniyat.
Complete list of Farwa Khalid novels.
17. Meerab Hayat
The newest name on this list, and already widely read. Meerab Hayat writes romantic and emotional fiction as a contemporary Urdu fiction writer. She is described as a rising, new-generation voice in Urdu romantic fiction, and her stories first circulated in episodes through social media and online sharing. Shiddat, Mera Sakoon Ho Tum and Mohabbat Hayat Hoti Hai are her best known novels.
Best known works on this site: Shiddat, Mera Sakoon Ho Tum, Mohabbat Hayat Hoti Hai.
Complete list of Meerab Hayat novels.
18. S Merwa Mirza
Her serials keep readers waiting for the next episode. S Merwa Mirza writes Urdu romantic novels about love, relationships and family. Rooh-e-Ada and Dar-e-Ishqam are her best known novels, and Akhgar-e-Junoon runs as an ongoing serial on her YouTube channel. Her novels were already circulating on aggregator sites by 2022.
Best known works on this site: Rooh-e-Ada, Akhgar-e-Junoon, Dar-e-Ishqam.
Complete list of S Merwa Mirza novels.
19. Samreen Shah
Her books spread by word of mouth online. Samreen Shah writes Urdu romantic novels about love, relationships and family. Her novels were already circulating on aggregator sites by late 2021. Man Dare Ishq Bashuma Hastam, Black Rose and Dil Ka Darya are her best known novels.
Best known works on this site: Man Dare Ishq Bashuma Hastam, Black Rose, Dil Ka Darya.
Complete list of Samreen Shah novels.
20. Wahiba Fatima
Her Bloody Love is one of the most talked about online novels. Wahiba Fatima is an online Urdu novelist whose episode-based novels are later compiled as complete PDFs. Bloody Love (Khooni Ishq), a crime and gangster romance, is her best known novel, with Khuwab-e-Ishqam and Wahshat-e-Ishq beside it.
Best known works on this site: Bloody Love, Khuwab-e-Ishqam, Wahshat-e-Ishq.
Complete list of Wahiba Fatima novels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which writer is best for romance?
For classic romance, start with Farhat Ishtiaq or Nimra Ahmed. For intense online romance, try Areej Shah or Farwa Khalid.
Who wrote the Imran Series?
Ibn-e-Safi created the Imran Series and wrote its first 18 Jild. Mazhar Kaleem later wrote 13 more Imran Series novels with the same hero, Ali Imran.
Why are Anwar Maqsood and Muhammad Younus Butt on a novel writers list?
They are famous Urdu writers, but not novelists. Anwar Maqsood wrote plays and satire, and Muhammad Younus Butt wrote humour and television scripts. They are included so readers are not misled about what they wrote.
Can I read these novels free?
Yes. Tap any novel title to open its page on Romantic Urdu Novels, where you can read the complete Urdu PDF online or download it free.
Which writer should a new reader start with?
Start with Humsafar by Farhat Ishtiaq, then Peer-e-Kamil by Umera Ahmed, then Khofnak Imarat by Ibn-e-Safi.
