Critical and Analytical Study of Economic Issues in Twentieth Century Pakistani Urdu Fiction

Abstract

The Pakistani Urdu short story of the twentieth century is a powerful reflection of the social, political, and economic realities of its age. The writers of this period portrayed economic inequality, poverty, unemployment, class division, exploitation, capitalist attitudes, and the sufferings of the working class in a highly realistic manner. This research presents a critical and analytical study of economic issues in twentieth-century Pakistani Urdu short stories in order to examine how Urdu fiction highlights the economic contradictions of society and their impact on human life. The study analyzes selected short stories of prominent Urdu fiction writers in which themes such as the widening gap between the rich and the poor, the hardships of laborers, inflation, unemployment, migration, economic exploitation of women, and the unequal distribution of resources occupy a central position. These writers not only depicted economic crises but also explored the psychological conflicts, family disintegration,

sense of deprivation, and decline of moral values caused by such conditions.The research concludes that the twentieth-century Pakistani Urdu short story is not merely a literary expression but also an important document of the economic realities of its time. Through realistic and artistic representation, these stories enable readers to observe the harsh conditions of society and deeply experience their social and human consequences. Thus, Urdu short fiction plays a significant role in raising social awareness and exposing class-based injustice and exploitation.

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