Born in Dilai.

Early education in Hapur, UP.

Higher education: MA (Urdu) Meerut College

Migrated to Pakistan in late 1947 and took up residence in Lahore.

Professional experience: Briefly worked for Imroze and Afaq, before
joining Mashriq as a columnist. Wrote for Civil & Military Gazette,
Lahore, in the early sixties, Frontier Post, Lahore in 1989-90 and is
currently writing for Dawn

Literary works: Seven collections of short stories: Galli Koochay
(Lanes and Streets), Kankari (Pebble), Akhri Admi (Last Man), Shehr-i-
Afsos (City of Sorrows), Kuchway (Turtles), Khaimay Se Door (Far from
the Tent), and Khali Pinjra (Empty Cage)

Four novels: Chand Grahan (Lunar Eclipse), Basti (Settlement),
Tazkara (Mention) and Aagay Samandar Hai (The Sea is Ahead).

Novella: Din aur Dastaan (Day and Tale).

Travelogues: Zamin Aur Falak Aur (The Earth is Different from the
Sky) and Nai Shehr aur Purani Batein (New Towns and Old Issues)

Memoirs: Chiraghon ka Dhooan (Smoke from Lamps)

Collection of critical essays: Alamaton ka Zawal(Decline of Symbols)

Biography: Ajmal-i-Azam (Life of Hakim Ajmal Khan) and Dilli Tha Jis
Ka Naam (Delhi Was its Name)

Translations: Turgeniev's Fathers and Sons, Chekov's Steppes, Stephen
Crane's Real Badge of Courage, Emile Habibi's Secret Life of Saeed
and Boat

Awards: Pride of Performance, (Government of Pakistan), Kamal- i-Fun
Award, (Government of Pakistan), Yatra Award (Harper- Collins,
India), Adabi Award (Anjuman-i-Farogh-i-Urdu, India), ARY Gold Award
(ARY Gold)