The 17th edition of the Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) opened in Karachi with writers, scholars, artists and readers gathering from across Pakistan and abroad. This year’s conversations revolve around the theme “Literature in a Fragile World,” placing books and ideas at the center of debates about conflict, climate anxiety, identity and social change.
The opening ceremony began on a somber note, with participants observing a minute’s silence in solidarity with victims of recent tragedies, including the Gul Plaza incident and a bombing in Islamabad.
Organised by Oxford University Press Pakistan, the three-day festival features more than 200 speakers, dozens of panel discussions, cultural presentations, and the launch of 28 new titles. Over the years, KLF has evolved into one of the country’s most anticipated intellectual gatherings, attracting students and families alongside academics and international guests.
CM calls KLF a pillar of dialogue
Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the chief guest at the inauguration, said literature becomes even more essential when societies face uncertainty. In a world shaped by environmental stress, technological disruption and geopolitical tension, he argued, books help preserve memory, nurture empathy and keep channels of dialogue open.
He described the festival as proof that Karachi remains a living, creative metropolis and praised OUP Pakistan for sustaining the event for seventeen consecutive years. Time spent reading, he added, is never wasted.
Invoking Sindh’s literary lineage, the chief minister referred to towering figures such as Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Sachal Sarmast, Shaikh Ayaz and Mirza Qaleech Baig, saying their messages of pluralism and compassion remain urgently relevant.
He also announced the provincial government’s intent to collaborate with OUP through an education partnership aimed at improving learning outcomes and teacher training.
Knowledge in unsettled times
In her keynote, Sherry Rehman reflected on mounting global instability and the intensifying climate crisis, noting that Pakistan stands on the frontline of environmental shocks. She urged audiences to seek opportunity within difficulty and to defend spaces for conversation.
OUP Pakistan’s Managing Director Arshad Saeed Hussain framed literature not as a luxury but as a civic responsibility, while diplomats from France and the United Kingdom emphasized the importance of cross-border cultural exchange.
A packed first day
Opening-day programming ranged widely. A session revisited the idea of a multicultural Pakistan inspired by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, while another highlighted global art history through the launch of Jeff Koehler’s book. Audiences also attended a Sindhi mushaira, film screenings and conversations between emerging and established authors.
The evening concluded with a classical flourish as renowned dancer Nighat Chaudhry took the stage with her ensemble, reminding participants that literature festivals in South Asia often move fluidly between page and performance.
Karachi on the cultural map
Organisers say KLF continues to reinforce Karachi’s standing as a global cultural node. By bringing together publishers, translators, students and thinkers, the festival helps new voices find readers while encouraging debate across languages and disciplines.
As the sessions continue over the weekend, the underlying message remains clear: in fragile times, stories are not escapist—they are connective tissue, binding communities to memory, imagination and the possibility of shared futures.
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