Irshad khokhar, ( ارشاد کھوکھر ) writes, and writes well, both in Urdu and Punjabi. He was born in Kala Shah Kakoo, Sheikhupura, Pakistan, and completed his schooling there. He started writing poetry in 1990 and published his first book Mun layh Kehna ( من لیہ کہنا ) in 1999. Although he had started making his mark among the literary circles of Pakistan a few years earlier, his real breakthrough came with the publication of his second poetry book, Dil Di Bintee ( دل دی بنتی ) in 2008.
Khokhar has in some way "inherited the genes" for Punjabi poetry, from his father, Peyara Masih Khokhar who is well-known in his community for his ability to write and recite Punjabi Rubaiyat (چو مصرعہ). Our Khokhar has great respect for his father and admires him for his ability in reciting two of the greatest epics poems of the Punjabi literature, namely, Heer Waris Shah ( ہیر وارث شاہ)and Qissa Saif-ul Malook (سیف الملوک).
Irshad Khokhar read his first poem among well-known poets gathered for a Mushaira in the hall of Khabrain newspaper, in Lahore. This was also the place where he must met with the famous Bera Jee (بیرا جی ). It was the guidance and encouragement of the latter that lead him to publish his aforementioned book.
Irshad Khokhar has also written more than twenty religious songs which have been presented by various TV and radio channels, including Radio Pakistan, Catholic Channel, Masihi TV and Halillujah channel.
In the world of literature Khokhar is treading ever so softly, perhaps he wants to make sure that whatever he writes and publishes meets his own high standard of aesthetics. In his own words:
بوہتے نالوں تھوڑا لکھیں ، لکھیں ذرا سوادی
اکھر اکھر خوشیاں ونڈے پھیرے نہ بربادی
Khokhar has thus far been decorated with two awards: Aitraf-e fun Award (2009) and Husan-e Karkardgee award (2010).