The 16th Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) is all set to kick off this Friday, February 7, at the Beach Luxury Hotel.
Running until February 9, the festival promises three days of literary brilliance, cultural celebration, and thought-provoking discussions, featuring over 200 literary luminaries from Pakistan and the global Pakistani diaspora.
Narratives from the Soil
This year’s theme, “Narratives from the Soil,” pays homage to Pakistan’s rich literary heritage and the fertile ground that has produced countless literary stalwarts.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Oxford University Press (OUP) Managing Director Arshad Saeed Husain explained the inspiration behind the theme.
“Our soil is fertile. It has produced many literary figures, which is why the festival is celebrating the literary stalwarts, current or past, as well as those belonging to the diaspora,” he said.
Husain also took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, recalling the genesis of KLF in 2010. “The festival began for two reasons: to provide the public with a source of entertainment and to encourage book reading. Ever since, it has been organized every year without fail, setting the pace for other festivals in the country. It’s a free-for-all event, with no reserved seats,” he added.
What to Expect at KLF 2025
The 16th edition of KLF is packed with an exciting lineup of over 70 sessions and 26 book launches, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store:
- Book Talks and Panel Discussions: Covering topics ranging from literature in English, Urdu, and Sindhi to culture, education, and climate change.
- Dramatic Readings and Mushairas: This year, there will be two mushairas — one featuring established poets and another spotlighting emerging talent.
- English Poetry Recitals: A treat for poetry lovers.
- Film Screenings and Art Performances: Including qawwali and other cultural showcases.
- Youth Strand: For the first time, a parallel strand will run for two days, dedicated to the youth of Pakistan.
Keynote Speakers and Guests
The festival will open with a bang, featuring Sindh Chief Minister (or Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, in case of the CM’s absence) as the chief guest.
The inaugural ceremony will also include keynote addresses by Syeda Arifa Zehra and Fakir Aijazuddin, while the closing day will feature speeches by Asghar Nadeem Syed and Mishal Husain, a UK-based journalist of Pakistani origin.
Awards and Shortlists
Literary excellence will be celebrated with four prizes to be awarded on the opening day:
- English Fiction Prize
- Urdu Prose Prize
- Urdu Poetry Prize
- Regional Language Prize (covering Sindhi, Balochi, Pashto, and Punjabi literature)
Eminent writer Muneeza Shamsie announced the shortlist for the English Fiction Prize, which includes:
- The Election by Omar Shahid Hamid
- I Left You Behind by Nazneen Shaikh
- Akbar in Wonderland by Umber Khairi
- The Monsoon War by Bina Shah
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, filling in for the Sindh CM at the press conference, expressed his pride in the city hosting the festival. “It’s an honor for Karachi that the event is held here. Every time I attend KLF, I learn something new,” he said. He also suggested that future editions of the festival be held at Frere Hall, offering the full support of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation.
Veteran journalist Ghazi Salahuddin added a profound note to the discussion, emphasizing the importance of literature in society. “Getting to know literature and realizing its significance is more important than political stability,” he said.
