In this episode of the Poem of the Week series of the Rekhta Podcast, our host Aqib Sabir recites a beautiful nazm by one of the most celebrated and popular poets, Faiz Ahmed Faiz.

When Faiz was residing in Sialkot, in a house opposite to that of his, there lived a girl Faiz was in love with. One unfortunate day, on his return from college, Faiz discovered that the girl had left the city. Aagha Naasir writes that years later when Faiz, having risen to popular fame and appeal, revisited Sialkot, he had a serendipitous meeting with the same girl who happened to be visiting the city at the same time. Her husband was keen to meet Faiz. She urged Faiz to take note of her husband. This became an inspiration for 'Raqib Se!'.

For more poetry like this, stay tuned for this special series of the Rekhta Podcast.

A new episode airs every Monday.