Gul Khan Naseer

Called 'Malik-ush-Shu'ara' (king of poets) of Balochistan

BalochiPoet, historian and politician

Life

Gul Khan Naseer was born in Noshki and educated in Quetta and at Islamia College, Lahore. He became active in Baloch politics and journalism, and his writings often led to imprisonment.

He was a leader in the National Awami Party and served as a minister in Balochistan's government in the early 1970s.

Major works

Gulbang (1951): Often described as the first published collection of modern Balochi poetry.
History of Balochistan: Historical works in Urdu on the Baloch people and the Khanate of Kalat.

Themes and style

Baloch identity and freedom, the struggles of ordinary people, resistance to injustice, and the history and landscape of Balochistan.

Legacy

He is considered the founder of modern Balochi poetry and is honoured as 'Malik-ush-Shu'ara' of Balochistan.