KARACHI: The Oxford University Press Pakistan (OUPP) unveiled plans for the 16th Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) during a well-attended press conference at a local hotel. 

The three-day festival, themed Narratives from the Soil, will take place from February 7 to 9, 2025. 

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah’s message for the KLF emphasised the administration’s continued support, “Karachi Literature Festival celebrates the vibrant culture of our city and the power of ideas. As chief minister of Sindh, I am delighted to support this platform that fosters creativity, learning, and dialogue among diverse voices across our province.”

Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab said, “Karachi Literature Festival has been successfully held for the past 16 years, emphasizing and ensuring the promotion of knowledge, literature, civilization, and culture while also enhancing Karachi’s image.” He further said, “KLF provides the youth with an opportunity to connect with the language, traditions, and culture of their ancestors.”

Congratulating the management of the Karachi Literature Festival, the mayor assured them that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) would extend all possible support for the festival’s organisation.

OUPP Managing Director Arshad Saeed Husain, while sharing his thoughts about the upcoming event, said, “This year’s theme, ‘Narratives from the Soil,’ beautifully reflects the intrinsic bond between storytelling and our roots. Literature has always been a mirror of history, identity, and cultural evolution, preserving the voices that shape our collective consciousness. Through this festival, we celebrate the richness of our land’s literary legacy and the stories that continue to define who we are.”

Eminent authors, poets, thinkers, and changemakers, will participate in essential conversations regarding the new narratives, social paradigms, and cultural recognizance. 

Special guests will include HE Nicolas Galey, Ambassador of France, Scott Urbom, US Consul General Karachi, Mike Dawson, Head of British Deputy High Commission, Karachi, Chief Executive British Council Karachi, CEO Allianz, and Director Goethe.

An impressive lineup of speakers includes stalwarts like Arfa Sayeda Zehra, FS Aijazuddin, Iftikhar Arif, Kamila Shamsie, Mishal Husain, and Asghar Nadeem Syed.

The KLF-Getz Pharma Book Awards will recognize literary excellence across multiple genres, the winners will be announced during the inauguration ceremony.

In the English Fiction category, the nominees are: The Election by Omar Shahid Hamid, Akbar in Wonderland by Umber Khairi, The Monsoon War by Bina Shah, and I Le= You Behind by Nazneen Sheikh.

For Urdu Prose, the shortlisted works include Saat Janam by Shafqat Naghmi, Sindhu by Jeem Abbasi, Rolaak by Rafaqat Hayat, and Urdu Fiction: Mazahir-oMubahis by Najeeba Arif.

In the Urdu Poetry category, the nominees are: Koh-e-Malaal by Shariq Saeed, Aankh Say Aasman Jaata Hai by Tariq Naeem, and Sada Paani Ki by Muhammad Asif Mirza.

OUPP unveiled a dynamic program featuring a diverse lineup of concurrent events throughout the festival. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab will engage in an insightful session, Katcheri with the Mayor, while former Minister of State Muhammad Azfar Ahsan will delve into Pakistan’s business climate. Senator Sherry

Rehman will join the discussion on a Journey of Friendship and Political Activism.

With a rich array of literary conversations, cultural performances, and thought-provoking panels, the three-day Karachi Literature Festival promises an immersive experience for attendees.

Attendees can look forward to book launches, thought-provoking panels, discussions on contemporary issues, movie screenings, poetry recitations, vibrant cultural performances, and a dedicated Youth Pavillion featuring drama, music and storytelling. The festival will also showcase traditional poetry through mushaira sessions, qawwali, performances, and host an extensive book fair featuring publishers from across the country.

With KLF around the corner, literature enthusiasts and the public look forward to an engaging and memorable experience.