16th Karachi Literature Festival
KARACHI: The Oxford University Press Pakistan (OUPP) has officially announced the 16th Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) during a well-attended press conference at a local hotel. The festival, scheduled to take place from February 7 to 9, 2025, will follow the theme Narratives from the Soil, highlighting the deep-rooted connection between storytelling and cultural heritage.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the festival, recognizing its role in celebrating Karachi’s vibrant culture and fostering intellectual discourse. “Karachi Literature Festival celebrates the power of ideas and the diversity of voices across our province. As the chief minister of Sindh, I am delighted to support this platform that promotes creativity, learning, and dialogue,” he stated.
Similarly, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab emphasized the festival’s longstanding tradition of promoting literature, knowledge, and cultural heritage.
He noted that the event serves as an essential bridge connecting the youth with the language, traditions, and history of their ancestors. He also assured that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) would extend all necessary support to ensure the festival’s successful organization.
OUPP Managing Director Arshad Saeed Husain shared his excitement for this year’s event, stating, “The 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. This festival is a celebration of our literary legacy and the stories that define us.”
The festival will bring together eminent authors, poets, intellectuals, and cultural influencers who will engage in meaningful discussions on new narratives, societal shifts, and the recognition of cultural heritage.
Distinguished guests expected to attend include HE Nicolas Galey, Ambassador of France; Scott Urbom, US Consul General Karachi; Mike Dawson, Head of the British Deputy High Commission, Karachi; and representatives from the British Council, Allianz, and Goethe-Institut.
The speaker lineup for KLF 2025 is set to feature renowned figures such as Arfa Sayeda Zehra, FS Aijazuddin, Iftikhar Arif, Kamila Shamsie, Mishal Husain, and Asghar Nadeem Syed.
A key highlight of the event will be the KLF-Getz Pharma Book Awards, recognizing excellence in literature across multiple genres. Winners will be announced during the festival’s inauguration.
For the English Fiction category, the shortlisted nominees are The Election by Omar Shahid Hamid, Akbar in Wonderland by Umber Khairi, The Monsoon War by Bina Shah, and I Left You Behind by Nazneen Sheikh. The Urdu Prose category features Saat Janam by Shafqat Naghmi, Sindhu by Jeem Abbasi, Rolaak by Rafaqat Hayat, and Urdu Fiction: Mazahir-o-Mubahis by Najeeba Arif. In the Urdu Poetry category, the finalists include Koh-e-Malaal by Shariq Saeed, Aankh Say Aasman Jaata Hai by Tariq Naeem, and Sada Paani Ki by Muhammad Asif Mirza.
The festival will also feature an array of engaging sessions and activities. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab will host Katcheri with the Mayor, offering attendees an opportunity for an insightful discussion.
Former Minister of State Muhammad Azfar Ahsan will explore Pakistan’s evolving business climate, while Senator Sherry Rehman will participate in a session on A Journey of Friendship and Political Activism.
With its diverse range of literary discussions, cultural performances, and interactive panels, the three-day Karachi Literature Festival promises an immersive and intellectually enriching experience.
Attendees can look forward to book launches, discussions on contemporary issues, film screenings, poetry recitations, and a dedicated Youth Pavilion featuring drama, music, and storytelling.
The festival will also showcase traditional poetic expressions through mushaira sessions, qawwali performances, and a grand book fair featuring leading publishers from across Pakistan.
As the festival approaches, literature lovers and the public eagerly anticipate a thought-provoking and unforgettable experience, celebrating the written word, cultural heritage, and the exchange of ideas.
