KARACHI — The 17th Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) 2026 opened in Karachi, bringing together writers, scholars, artists, and readers from Pakistan and abroad. This year’s festival is held under the theme “Literature in a Fragile World,” highlighting the role of literature in addressing contemporary social challenges and fostering cultural dialogue.
Opening Ceremony and Tribute to Victims
The festival began with a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the recent Gul Plaza incident and a bomb attack in Islamabad. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the chief guest at the ceremony, emphasised literature’s role in providing stability, hope, and moral guidance in times of global uncertainty.
He described the Karachi Literature Festival as a symbol of intellectual engagement, offering opportunities for writers, students, and the public to reflect and exchange ideas. “Time spent reading books is never wasted,” he remarked, highlighting the teachings of Sufi poets such as Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai and Shaikh Ayaz as enduring sources of tolerance and humanism.
Literature as a Force for Empathy and Understanding
Addressing the theme of the festival, Murad Ali Shah noted that the modern era is marked by environmental pressures, technological change, and social complexity. In such times, literature serves a stabilising and humanising role by preserving memory, nurturing empathy, and connecting societies across cultural and geographic boundaries.
Highlighting Sindh’s literary heritage, the Chief Minister praised figures such as Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Sachal Sarmast, Shaikh Ayaz, and Mirza Qaleech Baig, whose works continue to promote pluralism, tolerance, and compassion. He emphasised that these values remain urgently relevant in today’s world.
Karachi’s Cultural Revival
Murad Ali Shah said Karachi has regained its status as a hub of economic, cultural, and intellectual activity, and events like KLF project a confident and creative image of Pakistan internationally. He lauded Oxford University Press (OUP) Pakistan for sustaining the festival for 17 consecutive years and for its contributions to publishing, education, and the country’s intellectual ecosystem.
He also announced plans for collaboration between the Sindh government and OUP under the Oxford Education Programme for Sindh, aimed at improving learning outcomes and empowering teachers with modern skills and resources.
Keynote Addresses and Festival Highlights
Senator Sherry Rehman, in her keynote address, spoke about global instability, climate change, and the importance of dialogue and knowledge in confronting contemporary challenges. Arshad Saeed Hussain, Managing Director of OUP Pakistan, described literature not as a luxury but as a civic responsibility. Representatives from France and the United Kingdom underscored the importance of cultural exchange and international literary collaboration.
First-day sessions included a discussion on “Quaid-e-Azam’s Vision of a Multicultural Pakistan” and the launch of Jeff Koehler’s book Matisse in Morocco: A Journey of Light and Colour. The programme also featured a Sindhi mushaira, film screenings, and live performances, concluding with a Kathak performance by renowned dancer Nighat Chaudhry and Kathak Souls.
Platform for Dialogue and Creativity
Organisers said the Karachi Literature Festival continues to serve as a significant platform for dialogue, creativity, and intellectual exchange, reinforcing Karachi’s position on the global cultural and literary map. The festival, which runs for three days and features over 200 speakers, also includes the launch of 28 books, panel discussions, literary sessions, and cultural performances.
