Pakistan Literature Festival 2025 Kicks Off in Sukkur

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah inaugurated

the event and was warmly welcomed by Arts

Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah

Correspondent

Sukkur: The two-day “Pakistan Literature Festival 2025 Sukkur Chapter II,” organized by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, commenced at the Football Ground of Sukkur IBA University. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah inaugurated the event as the chief guest and was warmly welcomed by Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah.

Distinguished Guests and Attendees

The opening ceremony saw the presence of key figures, including Provincial Minister for Culture & Tourism Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Nasir Hussain Shah, Syed Khurshid Shah, Mushahid Hussain Syed, Sukkur Mayor Arsalan Islam Shaikh, Chairman District Council Sukkur Syed Kumail Haider Shah, Ali Hassan Zardari, and Vice-Chancellor of Sukkur IBA University Asif Ahmed Shaikh. Other notable attendees included Dr. Tariq Rafi, Owais Qadir Shah, Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Mukesh Kumar Chawla, Ghulam Nabi Memon, Farrukh Shah, Madad Ali Sindhi, Chairman Sukkur Arts Council Mumtaz Bukhari, Zahid Khand, Ghazi Salahuddin, Nauman Shaikh, celebrated actors Mustafa Qureshi and Munawar Saeed, renowned writer Noor-ul-Huda Shah, media personality Sultana Siddiqui, and a large gathering of literary and arts enthusiasts from across Sindh.

Inaugural Speeches and Keynote Addresses

Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah delivered the welcome address, followed by keynote speeches from educationist Dr. Syed Jafar Ahmed and writer Noor-ul-Huda Shah. The event was hosted by Dr. Huma Mir.

Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah praised the Arts Council for organizing the festival, noting that similar events had been successfully held in Quetta, Kashmir, and Lahore. “Promoting art and culture is a key responsibility that Muhammad Ahmed Shah has taken on,” he stated.

He emphasized that protecting Sindh’s projects was a priority and highlighted the festival’s diverse sessions on arts, culture, economy, environment, and technology. “Success is only possible through unity,” he remarked, acknowledging the contributions of Sukkur IBA founder Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui and politician Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah.

He also lauded the achievements of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, citing successful events like the Youth Festival, Theatre Festival, Children’s Festival, International Urdu Conference, and Pakistan Literature Festival. He revealed that the World Culture Festival Karachi, which had 44 participating countries last year, will see over 100 countries this year.

Recognition and Cultural Insights

Muhammad Ahmed Shah expressed gratitude to CM Murad Ali Shah, Khurshid Ahmed Shah, Mushahid Hussain Syed, and others for their support in organizing the festival. He also acknowledged the efforts of Sukkur IBA University Vice-Chancellor Asif Ahmed Shaikh and Sukkur Mayor Arsalan Islam Shaikh in promoting the city’s cultural development.

Sindh Minister for Culture Zulfiqar Ali Shah praised Noor-ul-Huda Shah’s keynote speech, emphasizing Sindh’s 5,000-year-old history. “Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai gave women a high status in his poetry, something that even Shakespeare did not do,” he remarked.

Educationist Dr. Syed Jafar Ahmed called for greater youth engagement in cultural and creative activities. He raised concerns about the education sector, highlighting that while universities were growing, 89,000 children in Sindh remained out of school.

Writer Noor-ul-Huda Shah urged Sindh’s youth to embrace their cultural identity. “Education is meaningless if women are denied respect and rights. Sindh’s issues go beyond water scarcity; its youth need direction,” she asserted, calling for liberation from feudal and spiritual dominance.

Vice-Chancellor Asif Ahmed Shaikh thanked Muhammad Ahmed Shah for his continued trust in Sukkur IBA University, affirming that the institution was committed to fostering knowledge and independent thinking.

Day One Highlights

The first day featured engaging discussions, including:

• Future Leaders in the Digital Age
• Sindhi Literature in the 21st Century
• Employment Challenges & Opportunities for Sindh’s Youth
• Tribute to Aakash Ansari
• Discussion with Kumail Haider Shah
• Changes in Pakistan and the Global Landscape
• Art and Humour with Gul Mallah & Sohrab Somroo
• Quality of Education
• Film & TV Industry in the Digital Age
• Violence Against Women: Causes & Solutions
• Is the Economy Recovering?
• A Talk with YBQ
• Discussion with Sultana Siddiqui
• Poetic Conversations with Young Poets Ali Zaryoun & Umair Najmi
• Session with Sohail Warraich

A grand Mushaira (poetry session) featured prominent poets, followed by a spectacular Sufi Night at Sukkur IBA University Cricket Ground. Performances by Hamza Akram Qawwal & Group, Sanam Marvi, and Ahsan Bari mesmerized the audience.

The Pakistan Literature Festival 2025 Sukkur Chapter II continues to celebrate Sindh’s rich literary and cultural heritage, drawing intellectuals, writers, artists, and literature lovers from across the region.