The 15th Karachi Literature Festival (KLF), held at the Beach Luxury Hotel in Karachi from February 16 to 18, ended on a high note with a record turnout of literature lovers and art enthusiasts nationwide. This year’s KLF theme was ‘Change the Mindsets.’
In his welcome speech, Arshad Saeed Husain, Managing Director, Oxford University Press (OUP), Pakistan, said, “Through this year’s theme of sustainability, we aim to explore how words can catalyse mindset shifts, promote environmental stewardship, and drive towards a more sustainable and equitable future.”
The inauguration ceremony concluded with an award distribution powered by Getz Pharma for different categories, including the English Fiction Award, Urdu Poetry Award, Urdu Prose Award, and The Little Book Company Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Books in Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, and Balochi Languages.
On the 2nd day, a discussion on celebrating the richness of Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poetry was held. The second panel discussion focused on modernizing agriculture, featuring Muhammad Aurangzeb, Salim Raza, Miftah Ismail, and Dr. Ishrat Husain. The film screening of ‘Gandhi and Jinnah Return Home’ was followed by a Q&A session and the launch of two books.
The 15th edition of the KLF entered its third and final day of striving for sustainability through literature. The evening glittered with literary legends like Zehra Nigah, Iftikhar Arif, Kishwar Naheed, and Muneeza Shamsie, who were awarded shields for their outstanding contributions.
The day was punctuated with exciting discussions, such as a panel discussion, ‘In Pursuit of an Ethical State,’ featuring Syed Kaleem Imam, Shahab Usto, Mazhar Abbas, and Huma Baqai. The session ‘Coming of Age: Pakistani English Language Literature’ by Claire Chambers explored the evolution, significance, and contemporary trends with Muneeza Shamsie, Salman Tarek Kureshi, Maniza Naqvi, and Taha Kehar.
Masood Lohar moderated the session ‘Urban Dialogues: Decoding Karachi’s Dynamics,’ chaired by Arif Hasan. The discussion between Murtaza Wahab, Tariq Alexander Qaiser, and Afia Salam was well received by the audience. Sanjay Rajoura, Mustafa Chaudhry, Murtaza Chaudry, and Faysal Chaudry engaged the audience in their session ‘Hansna Mana Hai.’ Another session that engaged the audience was Climate Change and Sustainability.
The session ‘By the Swaying Palms and the Mangrove Creek: Poetry in English’ celebrated the beauty and essence of English poetry. Salman Tarek Kureshi indulged in a conversation with Sophia Bano, Minaa Shahzad, Zarmina Raza, Farida Faizullah, Moeen Faruqi, Moosa Gardezi, and Sanayya Saleem.
The session ‘Film: The Power of Storytelling’ was moderated by Saba Karim Khan. The panelists Sanam Saeed, Faryal Mehmood, Abid Aziz Merchant, Muhib Mirzaand Bee Gul highlighted the unique ability of film to inspire, entertain, and provoke thoughts through the art of storytelling. Mujahid Barelvi conducted the session Election 2024: Aik Naya Zawiya, where Justice (retd) Anwar Mansoor, Shaiq Usmani, and Shaheen Salahuddin shared their views.
Ghazi Salahuddin, Jibran Nasir, Harris Kahlique, and Afia Salam were a part of the session, ‘Human Rights and Wrongs.’ Muhammad Azfar Ahsan engaged the panellists in a dynamic session, ‘The Big Picture: Future of Pakistan.’ The evening ended with a Sufi Qawwali performance by Qawwal Najmuddin Saifuddin & Brothers.
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