KHana-barbaad hue be-dar-o-diwar rahe

ḳhāna-barbād hue be-dar-o-dīvār rahe

phir bhī ham un kī itā.at meñ giraftār rahe

Thokareñ khā ke bhī shā.ista-mizājī na ga.ī

fāqa-mastī meñ bhī ham sāhib-e-dastār rahe

apnī sūrat se hirāsāñ hai har ik shaḳhs yahāñ

kaun is shahr meñ ab ā.ina-bardār rahe

aate jaate hue mausam ko duā dete raho

kam se kam shāḳh-e-tamannā to samar-dār rahe

dastakeñ hoñgī dar-e-dil pe koī aa.egā

raat bhar ham isī ummīd meñ bedār rahe

dar-ba-dar phirte rahe ḳhāna-ba-doshoñ kī tarah

zindagī ham tirī tahvīl meñ be-kār rahe

ḳhaak kyuuñ uḌne lagī rāh-e-junūñ meñ 'aḳhtar'

rasan-o-dār kā koī to talabgār rahe

KHana-barbaad hue be-dar-o-diwar rahe

phir bhi hum un ki itaat mein giraftar rahe

Thokaren kha ke bhi shaista-mizaji na gai

faqa-masti mein bhi hum sahib-e-dastar rahe

apni surat se hirasan hai har ek shaKHs yahan

kaun is shahr mein ab aaina-bardar rahe

aate jate hue mausam ko dua dete raho

kam se kam shaKH-e-tamanna to samar-dar rahe

dastaken hongi dar-e-dil pe koi aaega

raat bhar hum isi ummid mein bedar rahe

dar-ba-dar phirte rahe KHana-ba-doshon ki tarah

zindagi hum teri tahwil mein be-kar rahe

KHak kyun uDne lagi rah-e-junun mein 'aKHtar'

rasan-o-dar ka koi to talabgar rahe