Sindh CM inaugurates event, terms it ‘one of Pakistan’s most significant cultural and intellectual platforms’
The 17th Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) 2026.
KARACHI:
The 17th Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) 2026 has opened in Karachi, bringing together writers, scholars, artists and readers from Pakistan and abroad. This year’s festival is being held under the theme “Literature in a Fragile World,” focusing on discussions around literature, culture and contemporary social challenges.
The opening ceremony began with a minute’s silence in solidarity with the victims of the Gul Plaza incident and those killed in a recent bomb attack in Islamabad.
The three-day festival, organised by Oxford University Press Pakistan, features more than 200 speakers and includes the launch of 28 books, alongside panel discussions, literary sessions and cultural performances.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the chief guest at the opening ceremony, said literature provides stability and hope in times of global uncertainty. He noted that in a rapidly changing world, literature helps preserve human values and encourages dialogue. He also condemned the recent attack in Islamabad.
Mr Shah described the Karachi Literature Festival as a symbol of intellectual engagement and dialogue, saying it provides opportunities for writers and young people alike. He added that time spent reading books is never wasted and highlighted the teachings of Sufi poets such as Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai and Sheikh Ayaz as sources of tolerance and humanism.
He described literature as a vital force for social understanding, empathy, and resilience in an increasingly fragile world.Addressing the opening ceremony, the Chief Minister congratulated Oxford University Press (OUP) Pakistan on successfully sustaining the festival for seventeen consecutive years, calling it a testament to vision, commitment, and consistency. He said the Karachi Literature Festival has firmly established itself as one of Pakistan’s most significant cultural and intellectual platforms.Referring to this year’s theme, “Literature in a Fragile World,” Murad Ali Shah said the modern era is marked by environmental stress, global uncertainty, technological change, and social complexity.
In such times, he noted, literature plays a stabilising and humanising role by preserving memory, nurturing empathy, and enabling societies to reflect and reconnect across cultural and geographic boundaries.
Highlighting Sindh’s rich literary heritage, the Chief Minister said the province has produced enduring voices such as Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Sachal Sarmast, Shaikh Ayaz, and Mirza Qaleech Baig, whose works continue to promote tolerance, pluralism, and compassion.
He stressed that these values are not confined to history but are urgently needed in today’s world.
The Chief Minister said Karachi has reclaimed its position as a vibrant hub of economic, intellectual, and cultural activity, and events like the Karachi Literature Festival contribute significantly to projecting a confident, creative, and enlightened image of Pakistan internationally.
He added that KLF provides a meaningful platform for established authors, emerging writers, students, and readers to engage with ideas that shape both individual perspectives and collective futures.
Appreciating the role of Oxford University Press Pakistan, Murad Ali Shah said OUP’s contributions through publishing, educational initiatives, and support for KLF have strengthened Pakistan’s intellectual ecosystem.
He announced that the Government of Sindh plans to collaborate with OUP under the Oxford Education Programme for Sindh to improve learning outcomes and empower teachers with modern skills and resources.
He also urged writers and artists to continue creating, questioning, and illuminating society, expressing confidence that Pakistan’s best intellectual contributions still lie ahead.Concluding his address, the Chief Minister quoted Lord Byron to highlight the enduring power of words, expressing hope that the Karachi Literature Festival would continue to inspire dialogue, thought, and understanding well beyond its venues.
In her keynote address, Senator Sherry Rehman spoke about growing global instability and the challenges of climate change, saying Pakistan remains on the frontline of climate impacts. She stressed the importance of finding opportunities in difficult circumstances and said the world today needs knowledge and dialogue more than ever.
Oxford University Press Pakistan’s Managing Director Arshad Saeed Hussain said literature was not a luxury but a civic responsibility, while representatives from France and the United Kingdom highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and international literary collaboration.
Sessions on the first day included a discussion on “Quaid-e-Azam’s Vision of a Multicultural Pakistan,” as well as 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.
The opening day concluded with a Kathak performance by renowned dancer Nighat Chaudhry and Kathak Souls.
Organisers say the Karachi Literature Festival continues to serve as an important platform for dialogue, creativity and intellectual exchange, reinforcing Karachi’s place on the global cultural and literary map.
