Hum Dekhenge is an Urdu poem by Pakistani poet and author Faiz Ahmad Faiz. In Hum Dekhenge, Faiz portrays the torturous times under Pakistani military dictator, Zia Ul Haq, who imposed restrictions on civil liberties during his regime.

Hum dekhenge goes beyond a mere expression of hope; it serves as a call for justice and equality. Faiz’s words resonate with the struggles of the oppressed, assuring them that a day of reckoning is on the horizon. At the same time, his words act as a caution to the tyrant about the day of reckoning, and remind him that on that day, “we shall witness.”

The influence of Hum Dekhinge extends far beyond the literary realm. The poem has been recited at protests globally, becoming a universal symbol of hope and defiance against injustice. Artists, activists, and leaders have drawn inspiration from Faiz’s words, highlighting the power of poetry to spur a revolution.

Needless to say, his verses had a price, a price that was paid with imprisonment, and his political detention was evident in several collections of poems written during this period.

Read Hum Dekhenge lyrics in English below: