Top 20 Famous Urdu Novel Writers
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Quick Answer: The 20 most famous Urdu novel writers on urdunovelspdf.com, grouped by what they write best, with their best known novels linked. Every book is free to read online and download.
Not sure where to begin with Urdu novels? This page is your map. Twenty writers, arranged as a reading journey: the classics first, then the bestsellers, then the new voices, and finally the writers who worked beyond novels.
Your first three books: Khofnak Imarat by Ibn-e-Safi, Peer-e-Kamil by Umera Ahmed, and Jannat Kay Pattay by Nimra Ahmed. After those, follow the groups on this page in order, or jump to any writer whose books sound like yours.
Start Here: The Classics Everyone Asks For
If you read only five writers on this page, read these five.
1. Ibn-e-Safi
The man who invented the Urdu spy thriller. Mazhar Kaleem wrote 13 more Imran Series novels with the same hero after him. Its hero is Ali Imran, a secret service agent, and the first 18 Jild of the series are by Ibn-e-Safi. The Imran Series is one of the most famous detective and spy thriller series in Urdu literature, and Ibn-e-Safi created it.
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.
2. Umera Ahmed
The most widely read Urdu novelist of her generation. Peer-e-Kamil, Aab-e-Hayat and Alif are her best known novels. Her stories first appeared in monthly Urdu digest magazines, and her writing career dates to 1998. Born in Sialkot and educated at Murray College, Umera Ahmed is a Pakistani writer, author and screenwriter.
Most read here: Peer-e-Kamil, Aab-e-Hayat, Alif.
Complete list of Umera Ahmed novels.
3. Nimra Ahmed
The novelist of romance, suspense and spiritual themes. Jannat Kay Pattay, Namal and Haalim are her best known novels. She holds a master’s degree in English literature, and her first novel, Mere Khuab Mere Jugnu, was published in 2007. Nemrah Ahmed Khan writes as Nimra Ahmed, a Pakistani Urdu novelist born on 9 September 1990 in Bhakkar, her family originally from Mianwali.
Most read here: Jannat Kay Pattay, Namal, Haalim.
Complete list of Nimra Ahmed novels.
4. Farhat Ishtiaq
The novelist behind the dramas everyone has seen. 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. Born in Karachi on 23 June 1980, Farhat Ishtiaq is a Pakistani writer, novelist and screenwriter.
Most read here: Humsafar, Mata-e-Jaan Hai Tu, Diyar-e-Dil.
Complete list of Farhat Ishtiaq novels.
5. Qudratullah Shahab
A civil servant who wrote one of Urdu’s great memoirs. 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. 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.
Most read here: Shahab Nama, Ya Khuda, Maan Ji.
Complete list of Qudratullah Shahab novels.
The Bestsellers of the Last Decade
The names that filled the digests and then the bookshops.
6. Hashim Nadeem
A novelist whose books became television events. 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. 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.
Most read here: Khuda Aur Muhabbat, Muqaddas, Parizaad.
Complete list of Hashim Nadeem novels.
7. Maha Malik
A digest writer who became a voice for Pakistani women. 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. Maha Malik, a Pakistani novelist and screenwriter, began her career through Khawateen Digest.
Most read here: Jo Chalay Tou Jaan Say Guzar Gaye, Meray Khwaab Reza Reza.
Complete list of Maha Malik novels.
8. Mehrunissa Shahmeer
A young novelist with two huge books already. Bogi Number 12, a historical novelette about the 1947 Partition, was written when she was nineteen. Bakht and Bismil are her best known books, with Baab-e-Dehar and Bogi Number 12 beside them. Mehrunissa Shahmeer, who signs herself Mehrul Nisa Shahmeer, is a Pakistani novelist.
Most read here: Bakht, Bismil.
Complete list of Mehrunissa Shahmeer novels.
9. Areej Shah
From Facebook serials to one of the most read names online. Little is publicly known about her private life. Rooh-e-Yaram, Deewangi and Junooniyat are her best known novels. She started as a social media writer on Facebook, where her serialized stories found a large following. Areej Shah writes romantic and social fiction as a Pakistani Urdu novelist.
Most read here: Rooh-e-Yaram, Deewangi, Junooniyat.
Complete list of Areej Shah novels.
10. Husny Kanwal
A Karachi novelist of emotional, romantic fiction. Her emotionally driven, romantic fiction includes Jugnu, Raazdar Mohabbat and Piya Main Teri. She was born on 23 August in Karachi, and her own book biography gives no birth year, so none is given here. Based in Karachi, Husny Kanwal is a Pakistani Urdu novelist and fiction writer.
Most read here: Jugnu, Raazdar Mohabbat, Piya Main Teri.
Complete list of Husny Kanwal novels.
The New Voices Readers Love Now
Eight writers who built their readership online, episode by episode.
11. Farwa Khalid
Her readers wait for every new episode. Ishqbaaz, Sanson Mein Basa Hai Tera Naam and Tu Hi Meri Junooniyat are her best known novels. Her novels were first posted on Facebook in episodes, and her fans wait for each new episode. Farwa Khalid is a contemporary Pakistani Urdu novelist whose romantic and emotional fiction is popular with online Urdu fiction readers.
Most read here: Ishqbaaz, Sanson Mein Basa Hai Tera Naam, Tu Hi Meri Junooniyat.
Complete list of Farwa Khalid novels.
12. Mehwish Ali
A Facebook-first novelist with a large following. Dasht-e-Wehshat, Ehd-e-Ulfat and Junoon-e-Ulfat are her best known novels. 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. Mehwish Ali writes romantic, emotional and socio-romantic fiction as a Pakistani Urdu novelist.
Most read here: Dasht-e-Wehshat, Ehd-e-Ulfat, Junoon-e-Ulfat.
Complete list of Mehwish Ali novels.
13. Meerab Hayat
A rising new-generation voice in romantic fiction. Shiddat, Mera Sakoon Ho Tum and Mohabbat Hayat Hoti Hai are her best known novels. 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. Meerab Hayat writes romantic and emotional fiction as a contemporary Urdu fiction writer.
Most read here: Shiddat, Mera Sakoon Ho Tum, Mohabbat Hayat Hoti Hai.
Complete list of Meerab Hayat novels.
14. S Merwa Mirza
Romance, family and relationships, told episode by episode. Her novels were already circulating on aggregator sites by 2022. 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. S Merwa Mirza writes Urdu romantic novels about love, relationships and family.
Most read here: Rooh-e-Ada, Dar-e-Ishqam.
Complete list of S Merwa Mirza novels.
15. Samreen Shah
A quiet name with a loyal readership. Man Dare Ishq Bashuma Hastam, Black Rose and Dil Ka Darya are her best known novels. Her novels were already circulating on aggregator sites by late 2021. Samreen Shah writes Urdu romantic novels about love, relationships and family.
Most read here: Man Dare Ishq Bashuma Hastam, Black Rose, Dil Ka Darya.
Complete list of Samreen Shah novels.
16. Suneha Rauf
Romance with family at its heart. Shiddat-e-Talab, You Are My Only Desire and Safar Tuj Se Raab Tak Ka are her best known novels. Her novels were already circulating on aggregator sites by December 2022. Suneha Rauf writes Urdu romantic novels about love, relationships and family.
Most read here: Shiddat-e-Talab, You Are My Only Desire, Safar Tuj Se Raab Tak Ka.
Complete list of Suneha Rauf novels.
17. Tania Tahir
Romance with a crime edge. Surkh Anchal, Serial Killer and Gharoor are her best known novels. She began sharing stories in Facebook groups before launching her own Facebook page. Tania Tahir writes Urdu romance, suspense and crime fiction, with emotionally intense stories of love, revenge, family bonds and personal struggle.
Most read here: Surkh Anchal, Serial Killer, Gharoor.
Complete list of Tania Tahir novels.
18. Wahiba Fatima
Crime, gangsters and intense romance. Bloody Love (Khooni Ishq), a crime and gangster romance, is her best known novel, with Khuwab-e-Ishqam and Wahshat-e-Ishq beside it. Wahiba Fatima is an online Urdu novelist whose episode-based novels are later compiled as complete PDFs.
Most read here: Bloody Love Khooni Ishq, Khuwab-e-Ishqam, Wahshat-e-Ishq.
Complete list of Wahiba Fatima novels.
Beyond Novels: Stage, Satire and Memoir
Two famous writers who never wrote a novel, included so the record is straight.
19. Anwar Maqsood
The sharpest wit on this list never wrote a novel at all. He never wrote a novel, a memoir or a short story collection, so no book page for him exists on this site. Fifty Fifty, Aangan Terha and Loose Talk are among his best known work. Born on 7 September 1939, Anwar Maqsood is a Pakistani scriptwriter, television presenter, satirist and humorist.
There is no book page for him on this site. See our 50 Best Urdu Novels list for the novels we do carry.
20. Muhammad Younus Butt
The humourist of the list, not a novelist. No novel is among them, so this site carries no novel page for him. He has written more than thirty books, mostly humour and satire collections such as Shaitaniyan, plus television drama scripts. Best known for the television show Hum Sab Umeed Say Hain, Muhammad Younus Butt is a Pakistani screenwriter, humorist and columnist.
There is no book page for him on this site. See our 50 Best Urdu Novels list for the novels we do carry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I use this list?
Treat it as a reading journey. Start with the classics group, then move to the bestsellers, then the new voices. Every novel title links to its page on Urdu Novels PDF.
Which of these writers wrote detective novels?
Ibn-e-Safi created the Imran Series, and Mazhar Kaleem continued it. Tania Tahir writes romance with crime and suspense.
Is Shahab Nama a novel?
No. Shahab Nama is an autobiography and memoir by Qudratullah Shahab, published after his death. He also wrote the novel Ya Khuda.
Are these novels free to read?
Yes. Tap any title to open its page on Urdu Novels PDF, where you can read the complete PDF online or download it free.
Who are the newest writers on this list?
Meerab Hayat, S Merwa Mirza, Samreen Shah, Suneha Rauf, Tania Tahir and Wahiba Fatima are the newest voices here. They first reached readers through social media and online episodes.
