Saud Usmani

Saud Usmani is a renowned Urdu poet, literary critic, columnist, and travel writer based in Lahore. His award-winning body of work spans poetry, memoir, religious scholarship, and literary journalism. As a critic and essayist, he is known for his incisive voice and wide-ranging contributions to contemporary Urdu literature, including prefaces, reviews, and literary commentary.

Author of several poetry collections, including Qaus and Baarish, and two travelogues, his influence extends across genres. He is a regular columnist for Daily Dunya and has represented Pakistani literature at events throughout the Middle East, Europe, USA, and South Asia. Saud joins the festival from Pakistan, bringing a critical and cultural perspective shaped by decades of deep engagement with the Urdu literary world.