Saadat Hasan Manto is regarded as one of the most powerful and influential short story writers in Urdu literature. His afsana nigari occupies a unique position because of its bold realism, psychological depth, and fearless portrayal of social realities. Writing during a turbulent period of the Indian subcontinent, particularly around the time of Partition, Manto presented the harsh truths of society with remarkable honesty. His stories reflect human weaknesses, social hypocrisy, moral contradictions, and the suffering caused by violence and exploitation. The distinctive qualities of his short story writing have made him one of the most discussed and studied figures in Urdu afsanavi adab. One of the most prominent characteristics of Manto’s short story writing is realism. Manto believed in presenting life exactly as it exists, without romanticizing or idealizing it. His stories depict the harsh realities of society, including poverty, prostitution, crime, and social injustice. Instead of hiding unpleasant truths, he exposed them openly. Stories like “Kali Shalwar,” “Hatak,” and “Boo” portray the lives of marginalized people such as prostitutes and laborers. Through these characters he highlights the social structures that force individuals into degrading circumstances. His realism is not merely descriptive; it reveals the moral decay and contradictions present within society. Another significant feature of Manto’s afsana nigari is psychological insight. He possessed a remarkable ability to explore the inner world of his characters. His stories often focus on the emotional conflicts, desires, fears, and frustrations of ordinary individuals. Rather than presenting characters as purely good or evil, Manto shows them as complex human beings shaped by their environment. In stories such as “Hatak,” the character of Saugandhi reflects deep psychological struggle and wounded self-respect. Manto portrays