The 10th Islamabad Literary Festival highlights Pakistan’s literary heritage and future

by Nadir Baloch

ISLAMABAD: The 10th Islamabad Literary Festival (ILF), ‘Thinking Changes Words’, includes 50 intellectually inspiring sessions, including film screenings, dance performances, muhairas, theater and a memorable Sufi night, ending with a grand closing ceremony at the Allama Iqbal Auditorium last night.

The event featured more than 100 prominent voices in literature and the arts, who spoke and reflected as keynote speakers and panelists during the festival as well as distinguished guests.

Commenting on the transformative nature of such events, renowned writer and critic Muneeza Shamsie shared: “ILF has shown us the unifying power of words, promoting dialogue across divisions and inspire change.” Poet and writer Najeeba Arif echoed this sentiment and added, “Literature shapes our perspectives and allows us to see the world through the eyes of others.”

The event also featured remarks from Mohammad Mikail Soomro, Director of Corporate Communications, Getz Pharma, who emphasized the value of supporting literary platforms, saying: “We are proud to be part of this initiative. The initiative encourages intellectual discourse and nurtures Pakistan’s vibrant culture.

Arshad Saeed Husain, Executive Director, Oxford University Press Pakistan, expressed his gratitude to the attendees and contributors, and said: “Our passion and commitment is to ensure ensuring that Literature continues to promote change towards a progressive and equitable society. We are fortunate to find an ever-expanding group of friends like you to fuel our mission.”

Given the final five books out of a total of seventeen books released; Day 3, continue with Akbar in Wonderland by Umber Khairi. In a lively conversation between the author and Aamir Ghauri, Khairi shares insights into the protagonist’s challenges to social ethics and politics in the 1990s.

In the Urdu fiction category, Najeeba Arif’s Mazahir o Mubahis was presented in conversation with Abid Hussain Sial, who explored themes of cultural identity and modernity. Shahid Siddiqui’s latest work, Toronto, Dubai and Manchester, was discussed in a panel discussion with Asghar Nadeem Syed, highlighting Siddiqui’s narrative journey through the socio-political landscape of the three cities.

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M. Athar Tahir’s Telling Twilight offers a poetic exploration of nature and nostalgia, in which Tahir discusses his work with filmmaker Ammar Aziz. Similarly, Muhammad Asim Butt’s Pani pe likhi kahani was offered in a fascinating discussion with Qasim Yaqoob, delving into Butt’s meditations on time and memory.

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A heartfelt session was held for My Friend Mairaj: An Intimate Biography by Shamim Ahmad, who, in conversation with Safiya Aftab, spoke about the legacy and personal memories of Mairaj Muhammad Khan. In a session filled with introspection and personal insights, Tariq Naeem’s Aankh se Aasman jata hai, was inaugurated, with Mehboob Zafar moderating the conversation on Naeem’s unique poetic vision.

The festival also celebrates British poetry with the launch of Poetry in English from Pakistan, edited by Ilona Yusuf and Shafiq Naz. A diverse group of poets, including Naeem Pasha, Rayan Khan, Alamgir Hashmi, Harris Khalique, Waqas Naeem, Haseeb Sultan, Wajahat Malik, Athar Tahir, Mehvash Amin, Saad Ali, Zain Ul Abidin Khan Alizai and Sophia Bano, have presented their work, with Ammar Aziz moderating a discussion highlighting the rich tapestry of English poetry in Pakistan.

A series of engaging discussions and sessions sparked lively conversations on diverse topics relevant to the socio-literary and cultural landscape of Pakistan. Part 2 of Capital Talk features a thought-provoking conversation between Hamid Mir and Meher Bukhari, addressing pressing issues in journalism and public discourse. In a timely discussion on Social Media: Free Speech and Censorship, panelists Farnood Alam, Husnain Jamal and Munizae Jahangir, moderated by Khayyam Mushir, delved into the challenges of balancing freedom of expression with the need for responsible content management. Munizae spoke about the difficulties in fighting fake news but emphasized that censorship must change its role to protect minority rights and not suppress people’s voices.

A Visual Journey: Documenting the National Art Gallery of Pakistan; Moderated by Hammad Husain, the session delved into insights on preserving Pakistan’s heritage. Naeem Pasha’s humble philosophy and approachability in designing his masterpiece has won hearts. “Sango Khesht must submit to Art and Culture.”

A literary discussion, Pakistan’s Urdu Adab ke Khud-o-Khaal, brought together esteemed voices such as Zehra Nigah, Iftikhar Arif, Najeeba Arif, and Abid Hussain Sial, moderated by Shakeel Jazib, to explore deconstructing the evolving identity of Urdu literature in Pakistan. Regarding the geography of literature, Zehra Nigah observes, “Literary patterns evolve over time to stay relevant – much like physical structures. Literature has never had boundaries, and it will always be connected to its historical heritage while reflecting current dynamics.” Arif Iftikhar expands on how rich Pakistani literature is with stalwarts like Ibne Insha. Yusufi, Rashid, Pitras, Faiz, etc., and their works are gems of the glorious history and literary wonders of the Urdu language.

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The session Urban Dialogue: Decoding Islamabad’s Dynamics with Naeem Pasha, Fauzia Asad Khan, Sikander Ajam Khan and Hammad Husain, moderated by Hamid M. Husain, examined the urban development and social changes of Islamabad. Theater group Swaang performed Daastan-e-Mizaah, adding a cultural touch to the festival through its humorous exploration of Pakistani society.

In the book Promoting a Global Mindset: The Coexistence of Local and International Examination Boards, panelists include Ghulam Ali Mallah, Amanda Ingram, Andrew Coombe, Arshad Saeed Husain and Shahid Soroya, edited by Faisal Bari, who presided, argued for the value of a diverse educational approach. Shahid spoke of the learning crises of 54 million children in school, while Coombe identified the nature of curiosity as what must determine pedagogical and assessment goals. Pakistani English Literature: Defining a Canon features Muneeza Shamsie, Harris Khalique and Ilona Yusuf, led by Aroosa Kanwal, discussing the development of English literature from Pakistan and the challenges of its formation a literary canon. Commenting on the nature of literary festivals, Harris Khalique said, “festivals may not contribute to the literary canon, but they certainly create a change in thinking.”

Hameed Akhtar’s legacy was revisited in Hameed Akhtar ke Sawaal along with Iftikhar Arif, Saba Hamid, Asghar Nadeem Syed and Harris Khalique, led by Shahzad Sharjeel. Exploring economic opportunities through enhancing AI infrastructure became a key discussion point in How Pakistan Can Grab Its Share of the $2 Trillion AI Market. It sees insights from Faisal Aftab, Owais Barlas, Fizza Amjad and is moderated by Basit Riaz Shaikh. In Who Owns the English Language? Contemporary Pakistani English-language novels – Raazia Sajid, Umber Khairi and Sonia Irum, shared their views on the contributions of Pakistani writers to English-language literature. The session was moderated by Aroosa Kanwal.

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The constitutional discourse in We the People and our Constitution, starring Hamid Khan, Ahmer Bilal Soofi and Farhatullah Babar, with Mujahid Barelvi as moderator, delved into citizenship and constitutional awareness . Our education system and future workforce needs, with experts AH Nayyar, Faisal Mushtaq, Shahid Siddiqui and Shoaiba Mansoor, moderated by Faisal Bari, focus on adapting education compatible with workforce needs. Shoaiba shared updates on career and technical integration in federal schools, but all panelists agreed on the need for a paradigm shift with robust training and assessment frameworks. price for teachers.

A session on digital storytelling, Beyond the Hype: Content Creators Crafting Stories, featuring creators Huzaifa Nizam (Huzaifa’s Huztory), Noman Jaffar (Islamabadwala) and Maryam Raja, moderated by Sonia Irum, explores photography The impact of digital stories. Ending with Pindi School Afsanay ka, Hameed Shahid, Ravish Nadim and Nilofar Iqbal, moderated by Khaleeq ur Rehman, reflects the unique storytelling style emerging from Pindi’s literary landscape.

The ceremony ended with an emotional Sufi night performance by Akbar Ali Khan, which left the audience deeply moved and inspired. The festival’s closing ceremony celebrates literature’s unique ability to reshape perspectives, promoting greater understanding and empathy across society.

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