Top 20 Famous Urdu Novel Writers

This page brings together the twenty most famous Urdu novel writers our readers ask for, from the founders of Urdu popular fiction to the online stars of today.
Every writer below links to their complete list on NovelBazar, and to their best known novels, so you can start reading in one click.

If you are new here, start with Peer-e-Kamil by Umera Ahmed, then Jannat Kay Pattay by Nimra Ahmed, then Humsafar by Farhat Ishtiaq.
For a thriller, start with Khofnak Imarat by Ibn-e-Safi.

The Founders of Urdu Popular Fiction

These writers built the readership that every Urdu novelist after them inherited.

1. Ibn-e-Safi

The man who invented the Urdu spy thriller. Ibn-e-Safi created the Imran Series, one of the most famous detective and spy thriller series in Urdu literature. He wrote the first 18 Jild of the series. At the centre stands Ali Imran, a secret service agent whose clever plans and bold missions drive every book. Mazhar Kaleem later carried the series forward with 13 Imran Series novels of his own, keeping the same hero.
Famous novels: Khofnak Imarat, Bhayanak Aadmi, Raat Ka Shehzada.
Mazhar Kaleem continued the series with Calender Killer, Khamosh Cheekhain, Bagop.

2. Qudratullah Shahab

A civil servant who wrote one of Urdu’s great memoirs. Qudratullah Shahab was a Pakistani civil servant and Urdu writer, 1917 to 1986. He served in the Indian Civil Service and later in senior posts in Pakistan, including Principal Secretary to three heads of state. He is best known for his autobiography Shahab Nama, published after his death. It is a memoir, not a novel. His other books include the novel Ya Khuda and the short story collection Maan Ji.
Famous novels: Shahab Nama, Ya Khuda, Maan Ji.
Complete list of Qudratullah Shahab novels.

3. Anwar Maqsood

The sharpest wit on this list never wrote a novel at all. Anwar Maqsood was born on 7 September 1939. He is a Pakistani scriptwriter, television presenter, satirist and humorist. His best known work includes the sketch comedy Fifty Fifty, the long play Aangan Terha and the talk show Loose Talk. He is not a novelist. He has written no novel, memoir or short story collection, so this site carries no book 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.

4. Muhammad Younus Butt

The humourist of the list, not a novelist. Muhammad Younus Butt is a Pakistani screenwriter, humorist and columnist. He is best known for the television show Hum Sab Umeed Say Hain. He has written more than thirty books, mostly humour and satire collections such as Shaitaniyan, along with television drama scripts. He has written no novel, 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 Modern Bestsellers

The digest era produced the biggest names in Urdu fiction, and their novels still top the reading lists.

5. Umera Ahmed

The most widely read Urdu novelist of her generation. Umera Ahmed is a Pakistani writer, author and screenwriter. She was born in Sialkot, and her education is listed as Murray College. She began writing at an early age, and her stories were first published in monthly Urdu digest magazines. Her writing career dates to 1998. Her best known novels include Peer-e-Kamil, Aab-e-Hayat and Alif.
Famous novels: Peer-e-Kamil, Aab-e-Hayat, Alif.
Complete list of Umera Ahmed novels.

6. Nimra Ahmed

The novelist of romance, suspense and spiritual themes. Nimra Ahmed is the pen name of Nemrah Ahmed Khan, a Pakistani Urdu novelist. She was born on 9 September 1990 in Bhakkar, and her family originally comes from Mianwali. She holds a master’s degree in English literature. Her first novel was Mere Khuab Mere Jugnu, published in 2007. Her best known novels include Jannat Kay Pattay, Namal and Haalim.
Famous novels: Jannat Kay Pattay, Namal, Haalim.
Complete list of Nimra Ahmed novels.

7. Farhat Ishtiaq

The novelist behind the dramas everyone has seen. Farhat Ishtiaq is a Pakistani writer, novelist and screenwriter. She was born on 23 June 1980 in Karachi. She is best known for Humsafar, Mata-e-Jaan Hai Tu and Diyar-e-Dil. Her novels have been adapted into some of Pakistan’s most watched television dramas.
Famous novels: Humsafar, Mata-e-Jaan Hai Tu, Diyar-e-Dil.
Complete list of Farhat Ishtiaq novels.

8. Hashim Nadeem

A novelist whose books became television events. Hashim Nadeem is a Pakistani novelist and drama writer. His first novel was Khuda Aur Muhabbat, first published on 1 May 2000, and it made him a household name in Urdu fiction. He is also known for Bachpan Ka December, Abdullah, Parizaad and Muqaddas. His novels have been adapted into famous television dramas.
Famous novels: Khuda Aur Muhabbat, Muqaddas, Parizaad.
Complete list of Hashim Nadeem novels.

9. Maha Malik

A digest writer who became a voice for Pakistani women. Maha Malik is a Pakistani novelist and screenwriter. Her career began through Khawateen Digest, and she is known for her portrayals of Pakistani women’s lives, struggles and cultural stigmas. Her best known books are Jo Chalay Tou Jaan Say Guzar Gaye and Meray Khwaab Reza Reza.
Famous novels: Jo Chalay Tou Jaan Say Guzar Gaye, Meray Khwaab Reza Reza.
Complete list of Maha Malik novels.

10. Mehrunissa Shahmeer

A young novelist with two huge books already. Mehrunissa Shahmeer is a Pakistani novelist who signs herself Mehrul Nisa Shahmeer. Her best known books are Bakht and Bismil, along with Baab-e-Dehar and Bogi Number 12. Bogi Number 12 is a historical novelette about the 1947 Partition, written when she was nineteen.
Famous novels: Bakht, Bismil.
Complete list of Mehrunissa Shahmeer novels.

The New Online Generation

These writers first reached readers through Facebook and online episodes, and their novels now travel everywhere.

11. Areej Shah

From Facebook serials to one of the most read names online. Areej Shah is a Pakistani Urdu novelist writing romantic and social fiction. She began publishing as a social media writer on Facebook, where her serialized stories gained a large following. She is a private person, and little is publicly known about her personal life. Her best known novels include Rooh-e-Yaram, Deewangi and Junooniyat.
Famous novels: Rooh-e-Yaram, Deewangi, Junooniyat.
Complete list of Areej Shah novels.

12. Husny Kanwal

A Karachi novelist of emotional, romantic fiction. Husny Kanwal is a Pakistani Urdu novelist and fiction writer, based in Karachi. She was born on 23 August in Karachi. No birth year is stated in her own book biography, so none is given here. She writes emotionally driven, romantic fiction. Her best known novels include Jugnu, Raazdar Mohabbat and Piya Main Teri.
Famous novels: Jugnu, Raazdar Mohabbat, Piya Main Teri.
Complete list of Husny Kanwal novels.

13. Farwa Khalid

Her readers wait for every new episode. Farwa Khalid is a contemporary Pakistani Urdu novelist writing romantic and emotional fiction, popular with online Urdu fiction readers. Her novels were first posted on Facebook in episodes, and she has a committed fan base awaiting each new episode. Her best known novels include Ishqbaaz, Sanson Mein Basa Hai Tera Naam and Tu Hi Meri Junooniyat.
Famous novels: Ishqbaaz, Sanson Mein Basa Hai Tera Naam, Tu Hi Meri Junooniyat.
Complete list of Farwa Khalid novels.

14. Mehwish Ali

A Facebook-first novelist with a large following. Mehwish Ali is a Pakistani Urdu novelist writing romantic, emotional and socio-romantic fiction. Her novels were first published on Facebook in episodes, and they later spread to novel websites. Dasht e Wehshat was shared episode by episode on her Facebook page in February 2020. Her best known novels include Dasht-e-Wehshat, Ehd-e-Ulfat and Junoon-e-Ulfat.
Famous novels: Dasht-e-Wehshat, Ehd-e-Ulfat, Junoon-e-Ulfat.
Complete list of Mehwish Ali novels.

15. Meerab Hayat

A rising new-generation voice in romantic fiction. Meerab Hayat is a contemporary Urdu fiction writer whose work is romantic and emotional fiction. She is described as a rising, new-generation voice in Urdu romantic fiction, popular with readers of emotional romance. Her stories first circulated in episodes through social media and online sharing. Her best known novels include Shiddat, Mera Sakoon Ho Tum and Mohabbat Hayat Hoti Hai.
Famous novels: Shiddat, Mera Sakoon Ho Tum, Mohabbat Hayat Hoti Hai.
Complete list of Meerab Hayat novels.

16. S Merwa Mirza

Romance, family and relationships, told episode by episode. S Merwa Mirza writes Urdu romantic novels centred on love, relationships and family. Her best known novels include Rooh-e-Ada and Dar-e-Ishqam. Akhgar-e-Junoon is presented on her YouTube channel as an ongoing serial. Her novels were already circulating on aggregator sites by 2022.
Famous novels: Rooh-e-Ada, Dar-e-Ishqam.
Complete list of S Merwa Mirza novels.

17. Samreen Shah

A quiet name with a loyal readership. Samreen Shah writes Urdu romantic novels centred on love, relationships and family. Her novels were already circulating on aggregator sites by late 2021. Her best known novels include Man Dare Ishq Bashuma Hastam, Black Rose and Dil Ka Darya.
Famous novels: Man Dare Ishq Bashuma Hastam, Black Rose, Dil Ka Darya.
Complete list of Samreen Shah novels.

18. Suneha Rauf

Romance with family at its heart. Suneha Rauf writes Urdu romantic novels centred on love, relationships and family. Her novels were already circulating on aggregator sites by December 2022. Her best known novels include Shiddat-e-Talab, You Are My Only Desire and Safar Tuj Se Raab Tak Ka.
Famous novels: Shiddat-e-Talab, You Are My Only Desire, Safar Tuj Se Raab Tak Ka.
Complete list of Suneha Rauf novels.

19. Tania Tahir

Romance with a crime edge. Tania Tahir writes Urdu romance, suspense and crime fiction, with emotionally intense narratives about love, revenge, family bonds and personal struggle. She started sharing stories in Facebook groups, later launching her own Facebook page. Her best known novels include Surkh Anchal, Serial Killer and Gharoor.
Famous novels: Surkh Anchal, Serial Killer, Gharoor.
Complete list of Tania Tahir novels.

20. Wahiba Fatima

Crime, gangsters and intense romance. Wahiba Fatima is an online Urdu novelist whose works circulate as episode-based online novels later compiled as complete PDFs. Her best known novels include Bloody Love (Khooni Ishq), a crime and gangster romance, along with Khuwab-e-Ishqam and Wahshat-e-Ishq.
Famous novels: Bloody Love, Khuwab-e-Ishqam, Wahshat-e-Ishq.
Complete list of Wahiba Fatima novels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the most famous Urdu novel writer?

Umera Ahmed is the most widely read Urdu novelist of her generation, and her Peer-e-Kamil is the novel readers ask for most. Ibn-e-Safi, Nimra Ahmed and Farhat Ishtiaq are the other names every list starts with.

Which Urdu novel should I read first?

Start with Peer-e-Kamil by Umera Ahmed, then Jannat Kay Pattay by Nimra Ahmed, then Humsafar by Farhat Ishtiaq. Those three cover the best of modern Urdu fiction.

Are all 20 writers novelists?

No. Anwar Maqsood is a scriptwriter and satirist, Muhammad Younus Butt is a humorist and screenwriter, and Qudratullah Shahab is best known for his memoir Shahab Nama. The page says so plainly for each of them.

Where can I read these novels?

Tap any novel title on this page to open its page on NovelBazar, where you can read the complete Urdu PDF online or download it free.

How was this list made?

The twenty writers are the ten AlifLaila writers and the ten writers from our author program, each with a complete list and verified works on this site.