Announcing our 2026/7 International Translator in Residence – Haider Shahbaz

We are thrilled to announce Pakistani translator and writer Haider Shahbaz as Wasafiri's 2026/7 International Translator in Residence.  

Haider is the second international translator in residence in Wasafiri’s three-year partnership with the SALT (South Asian Literature in Translation) Project, which supports and promotes English-language translations of literature written in the languages of South Asia. Haider, who translates from Urdu, follows in the footsteps of Deepa Bhasthi, who held the position previously.

At Wasafiri, translation is a vital act of understanding and meaning making — as we continue to find new ways to support both translators and the art and praxis of translation, we are incredibly proud to have Haider Shahbaz join us in residence. Alongside Haider, Wasafiri is also immensely gratified to have two other esteemed writers in residence — Juana Adcock as Translator in Residence (Endangered Languages) and Safia Elhillo as International Writer in Residence.  

Commenting on his appointment, Haider Shahbaz said: ‘I am grateful to Wasafiri for this opportunity to engage with ideas and practices of translation. Wasafiri’s incredible history of publishing literature from Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean provides a critical venue for a conversation about translation and decolonisation. I hope to create a collective space where we can explore how literary translation might further projects of decolonisation. The task assumes new importance each day in a world built on genocide, capitalist accumulation, and cultural alienation.’ 

During his six-month remote residency, Haider will tutor four online writing workshops, take part in Wasafiri events, and contribute to the print magazine and Wasafiri.org. 

Haider Shahbaz is a translator and writer from Pakistan. He is the translator of Mirza Athar Baig’s Urdu novel Hassan’s State of Affairs (HarperCollins India) and Fauzia Rafique’s Punjabi novel Keeru (Hachette India). His next translation, forthcoming from Ugly Duckling Presse, is a collection of ‘compositions’ by the anti-imperialist and avant-garde modernist Balraj Manra. He works as an Assistant Professor at Smith College.