The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is set to organize a three-day literary festival starting from March 17 to March 19, according to a statement released on Wednesday. The festival aims to provide a platform for citizens to promote literature, culture, art, and book reading.
The event has been divided into two parts for the first time and will feature various programs each day, including Mushaira, Heer Goai, Manzil-Ba-Manzil Islamabad, theatre, cultural dances, and musical nights. Additionally, there will be a panel discussion on Pakistani languages.
The festival will host renowned poets such as Iftikhar Arif, Anwar Sahoor, Khurshid Rizvi, Fawad Hasan Fawad, and Akbar Ehsan. In contrast, Hafeez Khan, Dr. Saghira Sadaf, Abbasian Yousafzai, and Dr. Mohammad Yusuf will participate in the panel discussion.
Three musical nights are scheduled at Liaquat Gymnasium at 8 pm, featuring artists from around the country, including Shafqat Amanat Ali, Hadiqa Kayani, Sahir Ali, and Sanam Marvi.
CDA Chairman Noorul Amin Mengal stated that the literary festival’s purpose is to promote literature and culture and that it would be made a regular feature. He expressed concern that today’s youth is moving away from literature and book reading, which are essential to understand literature and culture.
He believes such activities would be beneficial in attracting the younger generation back to their roots. The CDA chairman also mentioned that various companies are bearing all expenses related to the literary festival.
After the event, the CDA plans to organize Jashan Baharan in Islamabad.
