Abstract:

‘“Hilal” is the most popular magazine of the Pakistan Armed Forces, in which everyone, from an ordinary soldier to a general, contributes prose and poetry according to their individual taste. Along with military personnel, civilian writers’ works also adorn its pages. The magazine is regularly read across all three branches of the Pakistan Armed Forces: the Army, Navy, and Air Force. It is published by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), GHQ Rawalpindi. Alongside military and defense-related articles, this journal has also embraced literary and semi-literary writings, thereby playing a significant role in nurturing the literary taste of servicemen. It is worth noting that poetry has adorned the pages of “Hilal” since its very inception. In particular, genres such as Hamd, Naat, Nazm, free verse, and humorous poetry have been given regular space in its issues. Although ghazals have also appeared from time to time, this poetic form could not secure a permanent place in the magazine. The poetry published in “Hilal” is not merely a collection of words; rather, it serves as an intellectual and spiritual force for the soldiers of the Pakistan Army, strengthening in their hearts the spirit of sacrifice for the beloved homeland. Although the magazine is primarily a representative publication of the Pakistan Armed Forces, its literary orientation and poetic sensibility have prevented it from being confined to the limits of a purely professional or institutional journal. Instead, it has evolved into a multidimensional literary platform. It can be stated without exaggeration that the issues of “Hilal” contain a priceless treasure of Urdu poetry, which not only reflects the literary trends of its time but also plays an important role in the formation of national history and collective consciousness.”

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