The 17th edition of the Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) wrapped up on a high note at the Beach Luxury Hotel, celebrating literature, culture, education, and public dialogue over three lively days. From inter-school debates to evening qawwalis, the festival reinforced its reputation as one of Pakistan’s most dynamic platforms for intellectual and cultural exchange.
The final day began with a spirited inter-school debate on “Literature today: elitist or essential?” featuring KGS, Lyceum, and Cedar College, with KGS emerging victorious. Dramatic readings by Yousuf Bashir Qureshi, Ali Mazhar, and Usman Qureshi added a literary spark to the morning sessions.
Panel discussions and literature sessions explored a wide spectrum of topics — from Jane Austen and emerging global writers to pressing social issues such as women’s and children’s health, climate change, higher education, and civic accountability in Karachi. Renowned physicist Pervez Hoodbhoy emphasized the importance of academic freedom, noting that universities should nurture critical thinking rather than conformity.
Book launches and author talks highlighted Pakistan’s linguistic and cultural diversity, featuring works like Rebel English Academy by Mohammed Hanif, Umar Mujhay Likhti Hai by Kishwar Naheed, and Pakistan Cricket Chronicles 1948-2024, alongside poetry collections and translations. Thought-provoking sessions such as “Future Shock: Dystopia in a Dystopian World” and “Karachi Between the Lines” offered fresh perspectives on global and local literary trends.
The Youth Pavilion was abuzz with creativity, hosting workshops in storytelling, calligraphy, theatre, dance, and music. Interactive performances and discussions on future skills reflected KLF’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of writers and thinkers.
Culture and public-interest sessions explored Pakistani television, media evolution, artificial intelligence, and museum curation. Highlights included “The Great KLF Debate: Will AI Take Over?”, and Zafar Masud’s session “Hope, Faith, and the Miracle of Survival”, where he shared his near-death experiences and life lessons. Amin Gulgee also presented insights from his handbook Gulgee Museum.
The festival’s closing ceremony featured a keynote by acclaimed author Mohammed Hanif on literature’s enduring power to challenge, question, and imagine. The event concluded with a soul-stirring qawwali performance by Hamza Akram Qawwal & Brothers, leaving attendees inspired and uplifted.
