17th Karachi Literature Festival Wraps Up with Intellectual Fervor and Cultural Splendor
The 17th edition of the Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) drew to a vibrant and inspiring close on its third and final day at the Beach Luxury Hotel, solidifying its reputation as Pakistan's most inclusive and dynamic intellectual gathering. From early morning debates to an evening of soulful qawwali, the festival celebrated literature, culture, education, and public discourse with unwavering enthusiasm.
Engaging Debates and Literary Sessions Set the Tone
The day commenced with an inter-school debate on the provocative topic 'Literature today: elitist or essential?', which set a thoughtful tone for subsequent discussions. Participating schools included KGS, Lyceum, and Cedar College, with KGS emerging as the winner. This debate sparked conversations about access, relevance, and the future of ideas in contemporary society.
Dramatic readings by Yousuf Bashir Qureshi, Ali Mazhar, and Usman Qureshi created a palpable literary buzz, while sessions celebrated both classic and emerging writers. Discussions ranged from Jane Austen's enduring legacy to pressing global and local issues such as women and children's health amid climate change, shifting power dynamics in South Asia, policing and civic accountability in Karachi, and the future of higher education.
Notably, Pervez Hoodbhoy emphasized the critical need for academic freedom, stating, "Academic freedom is essential for universities. Universities in Pakistan are not enriching young minds to be free but rather mind control."
Book Launches and Cultural Highlights
Throughout the three-day event, literature remained at the heart of the festival, with book launches and author talks drawing strong interest from attendees. Key highlights included:
- Rebel English Academy by Mohammed Hanif
- Umar Mujhay Likhti Hai by Kishwar Naheed
- Pakistan Cricket Chronicles 1948-2024
- New translations and poetry collections showcasing Pakistan's linguistic and cultural diversity
Sessions such as 'Future Shock: Dystopia in a Dystopian World' and 'Karachi Between the Lines' explored global and local literary traditions through fresh and innovative perspectives.
Youth Engagement and Creative Workshops
The Youth Pavilion was a hub of activity, hosting a variety of engaging events aimed at nurturing creativity and serious thinking among the younger generation. Activities included:
- Storytelling, writing, and calligraphy workshops
- Theatre, dance, and music performances
- Dialogues on skills for the future
School performances and interactive theatre sessions highlighted KLF's commitment to engaging the next generation of readers, writers, and thinkers.
Diverse Topics and Public Interest Discussions
Culture and public-interest sessions added further depth to the festival, covering a wide range of topics such as Pakistani television drama, media in a changing world, artificial intelligence, and the role of museums and curation. Film screenings, dramatic readings, and music performances enriched the festival atmosphere, while 'The Great KLF Debate: Will AI Take Over?' attracted enthusiastic audience participation.
Salma Alam, CEO of Durbeen, shared insights on education, stating, "We are planning on scaling up teachers' skills. A good teacher is a good educator. We are working on a public-private partnership to set up a graduate program to produce teachers' educators."
The session on 'Hope, Faith, and the Miracle of Survival' drew large crowds, with Zafar Masud reflecting, "My life experience can make people know how it feels when you are so near to death and somehow you escape it. Every person has to face death but my book may enable you to set priorities in life."
Amin Gulgee discussed his handbook Gulgee Museum in a session with Nicolas Engel, and film screenings included Screen Locked and the 2025-26 Banff World Tour. Pakistani TV drama was also explored in the session 'Adakari, Hidayatkari ya Kahani?'
Memorable Closing Ceremony
The festival concluded with a memorable closing ceremony in the Main Garden. Acclaimed writer Mohammed Hanif delivered a keynote address on literature's enduring power to question, resist, and imagine. Daniel Arsenault, Counsellor at the High Commission of Canada, Sibtain Naqvi, Head of Institution Branding and Narratives at Getz Pharma, and Arshad Saeed Husain, Managing Director of Oxford University Press Pakistan, gave the vote of thanks.
The event culminated in a soul-stirring qawwali performance by Hamza Akram Qawwal & Brothers, bringing the 17th Karachi Literature Festival to a resonant and uplifting close, leaving attendees inspired and enriched by the exchange of ideas and cultural expressions.
