Urban Word NYC

Fifteen years ago, a vision was born: to create a world where young voices could claim their rightful place in all spaces—especially those where they’d historically been excluded. That vision became the Youth Poet Laureate program, a movement that has since spread to over 100 cities across the U.S. and beyond, inspiring countless young artists to share their stories with the world.

Ten years ago, this dream expanded to Pakistan, sparked by a conversation with a Pakistani couple. After years of tireless work, it has taken root as the Pakistan Youth Poet Laureate Program. For the past two years, with the support of the U.S. State Department, we launched and produced the first-ever International Youth Poet Laureate Program in Pakistan with incredible success. As we worked to launch Year 2 of the program, not only were grant funds from our first year suspended, but the entire program was cancelled.

In a country where institutional support for young writers is scarce, investing in the literary arts is more crucial than ever. The Pakistan Youth Poet Laureate Program provides mentorship, resources, and opportunities to young poets, ensuring their voices are not only heard but celebrated.

In March 2024, over 1,400 young poets applied to join the program. Nineteen finalists—10 for English and 9 for Urdu—were selected and mentored by some of Pakistan’s most brilliant poets, writers, and filmmakers. On September 21, 2024, at the Al-Hamra Arts Center in Lahore, we announced Pakistan’s first Youth Poets Laureate, Aiman Tahir Khan and Mashallah Saif, in a historic celebration of art and resilience.

The event also marked the release of Jashn: An Anthology of the Youth Poets Laureate Pakistan—a stunning collection of work by the finalists, paired with breathtaking photography that offers a glimpse into their lives.

This April 2025, we opened submissions for Year 2 of the program. Despite having no funding, we won’t be discouraged and are committed to continuing this life-changing program. Now, we need your support to keep this movement alive.

The Pakistan Youth Poet Laureate program is more than a celebration of poetry; it’s an investment in Pakistan’s artistic future. But sustaining this platform requires resources, and we’re calling on the Pakistani American community to help us ensure this program thrives for years to come.

How You Can Help:

Alfaz ka Saathi – $50

Be a saathi (companion) to rising voices. With your donation, you’ll receive an exclusive Youth Poet Laureate hat—a nishani (symbol) of your support for the kalam (words) of tomorrow’s poets.

Qissa Rakhne Wala – $100

Hold their qissey (stories) close. You’ll receive the hat and a copy of Jashn: An Anthology of the Youth Poets Laureate Pakistan, a beautiful majmua (collection) of verses that echo the jazbaat (emotions), khwab (dreams), and haqeeqat (realities) of young Pakistani poets.

Roshan Andaz – $250+

Light the path of expression. In appreciation, you’ll receive the hat, the Jashn anthology, and a limited-edition tasveer (photographic print) from the Jashn shoot—captured by acclaimed Pakistani photographers, these images are a mehsoos (feeling) you can frame.

           

Your support will fund workshops, mentorship programs, and future anthologies, giving Pakistan’s young writers the tools they need to succeed in a world where artistic voices often go unheard.

Let’s come together to honor Pakistan’s literary heritage and invest in its future. Donate today and help us keep this dream alive.

Together, we can amplify the voices of Pakistan’s youth and build a brighter future for the literary arts.