Pakistani poetry

Pakistan has a rich and diverse tradition of poetry. This tradition partakes of Urdu poetry, Pakistan's national language and the regional languages of Pakistan including Sindhi poetry, Pashto poetry, Punjabi poetry, Seraiki poetry, Baluchi Poetry, and Kashmiri poetry. Sufi poetry known as Sufiana Kalam has a strong tradition in Pakistan and the poetry of popular Sufi poets is often recited and sung.

Persian poetry, is still common in Pakistan because of the centuries of Persian influence on the region. Many sufi poets wrote their Kalam in Persian. Pakistan's national poet Allama Mohammad Iqbal also wrote many volumes of poetry in Persian.

Poetry is widely read across Pakistan. Gatherings for thr recitations of poetry known as Mushaira frequently take place. Verses of popular poets are also used as political slogans by political activists.