ab kya bataun shahr ye kaisa laga mujhe

ab kyā batā.ūñ shahr ye kaisā lagā mujhe

har shaḳhs apne ḳhuun kā pyāsā lagā mujhe

ḳhafgī ho yā jafā.eñ hoñ yā mehrbāniyāñ

har rañg chashm-e-nāz kā achchhā lagā mujhe

dekhā jo ġhaur se to vo jhoñkā havā kā thā

tum ḳhud hī chham se aa.ī ho aisā lagā mujhe

vo shaḳhs jis se pahle kabhī āshnā na thā

nazdīk se jo dekhā to apnā lagā mujhe

yuuñ bhī milegī manzil-e-jānāñ yaqīñ na thā

vo sāmne the phir bhī ik sapnā lagā mujhe

ab kya bataun shahr ye kaisa laga mujhe

har shaKHs apne KHun ka pyasa laga mujhe

KHafgi ho ya jafaen hon ya mehrbaniyan

har rang chashm-e-naz ka achchha laga mujhe

dekha jo ghaur se to wo jhonka hawa ka tha

tum KHud hi chham se aai ho aisa laga mujhe

wo shaKHs jis se pahle kabhi aashna na tha

nazdik se jo dekha to apna laga mujhe

yun bhi milegi manzil-e-jaanan yaqin na tha

wo samne the phir bhi ek sapna laga mujhe