Karachi Literature Festival 2025 Set to Celebrate ‘Narratives from the Soil’

KLF will feature book launches, panel

discussions, movie screenings

poetry recitations and cultural performances

Staff Reporter

Karachi: The 16th edition of the Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) is set to commence on Friday, bringing together literati, artists, creatives, and changemakers in a globally recognized cultural space. Hosts and partners emphasized the festival’s significance during a press conference at Beach Luxury Hotel on Tuesday.

A Premier Literary Event

Dubbed the “cornerstone of Pakistan’s literary calendar,” this year’s KLF will feature book launches, panel discussions, movie screenings, poetry recitations, cultural performances, and traditional poetry showcases like mushaira and qawwali. Organized under the theme “Narratives from the Soil,” the festival will highlight Pakistan’s literary heritage and the contributions of the Pakistani diaspora.

Oxford University Press Pakistan’s Managing Director, Arshad Husain, noted that the festival was initially created to fill Karachi’s cultural void and promote a love for reading. Over the years, it has served as a model for literature festivals across the country.

Government Support and Expansion

Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab lauded KLF’s legacy, stating, “It is an honor for Karachi to host this festival since 2010, showcasing the city’s vibrance.” He announced that Frere Hall could be made available as a venue for next year’s event.

Now more than a decade strong, KLF has evolved into a platform discussing climate change, sustainability, Urdu rap, education, stand-up comedy, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Festival Highlights

• 200 speakers, over 70 sessions, and 26 book launches
• Inauguration by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah
• Keynote speakers: Arfa Syeda Zehra, F.S. Aijazuddin, Asghar Nadeem Syed, and Mishal Husain
• Notable guests: Iftikhar Arif, Kamila Shamsie
• Foreign dignitaries: Ambassador of France HE Nicolas Galey, U.S. Consul General Scott Urbom, British Deputy High Commissioner Martin Dawson

New Additions: Youth Pavilion & Session Categorization

This year introduces the “Youth Pavilion” speaker series, inviting young readers aged 5 to 18 to engage with literature and culture. Sessions are also categorized into public interest, culture, education, and literature, with literature-themed discussions comprising 67% of the schedule.

KLF-Getz Pharma Prize Announcements

The inauguration will include the KLF-Getz Pharma Prize ceremony. Shortlisted nominees for the English Fiction Prize include:

• The Election – Omar Shahid Hamid
• Left You Behind – Nazneen Sheikh
• Akbar in Wonderland – Umber Khairi
• The Monsoon War – Bina Shah

Free & Accessible to All

The festival is open to the public and free of charge. It will also be live-streamed across Oxford University Press Pakistan’s official platforms.