By Rafiq Vayani
KARACHI: The 17th Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) 2026 opened at the Beach Luxury Hotel on a somber note with a moment of silence for Gul Plaza victims and their families and today’s tragic incident of innocent lives lost again in the Islamabad bomb blast.
The inaugural event marks the start of a three-day celebration, bringing together writers, thinkers, and readers to explore literature and culture under the theme “Literature in a Fragile World.”
Organised by Oxford University Press Pakistan (OUPP), the festival this year is again sponsored by the Government of Sindh as Title Sponsor and Getz Pharma as Gold Sponsor, with the support from the British Deputy High Commission Karachi, the British Council, the Goethe-Institut, Alliance Française, the Embassy of France, and other corporate partners.
The Chief Guest, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister of Sindh in his speech spoke about the importance of literature and culture in building an enlightened society. “In times of global uncertainty, literature provides stability and humanity. Literature in a Fragile World as this year’s KLF theme is both timely and deeply relevant. Literature serves as a stabilizing & humanizing force in such times.”
In his welcome address, Arshad Saeed Husain, Managing Director, OUP Pakistan, said: “Literature of not an indulgence, it is a civic imperative. This festival embodies responsible innovation and shared prosperity. Dialogue has long been the craft of this city; we convene to question and understand. Only the sustainable form of power has the power to persuade through evidence, empathy and perseverance.”
“We are celebrating knowledge, culture and civilization” was endorsed by Alexis Chahtahtinsky, Consul General of France. Lance Domm, British Deputy High Commissioner highlighted their contribution to the festival by bringing British authors to participate.
In her Keynote by Senator Sherry Rehman on the ‘New World Disorder’ stressed that, “Climate conferences are expensive & excluding. If you are not on the table, you are in the menu. The Karachi Literature Festival has become the soul of Karachi. At this time, the world is in great need of knowledge and literature.” The Keynote Speech by Nasir Abbas Nayyar set the tone for the festival, highlighting the power of literature in shaping societies and encouraging critical thinking.
The Keynote Speeches were followed by the 2026 KLF-Getz Pharma Book Awards Ceremony. The English Fiction Prize winner is Ferdowsnama by Shandana Minhas, the Urdu Poetry Award winner is Aahang by Dilawar Ali Aazar and the Urdu Prose Award winner is Namak ki Betiyan by Naseer Soomro.
The ceremony concluded with a captivating Kathak performance by Nighat Choudhry and Kathak Souls titled “Rhythm of Traditions through Poetry and Movement”.
The festival’s atmosphere continued with an engaging panel discussion on “Jinnah’s Vision for a Plural Pakistan”, featuring Javed Jabbar in conversation with Ayesha Tammy. This was followed by the first book launch of Matisse in Morocco: A Journey of Light and Colour by Jeff Koehler moderated by Niilofur Farrukh.
The programme also included a Sindhi Mushaira, film screenings of W.R.A.P. (We Really Are Pakistan) and Jinnah by Jamil Dehlavi, and a live performance by rappers from Gizri.
With over 200 speakers, 28 book launches, renowned writers, thinkers, and artists taking part over the weekend, KLF 2026 promises to be a dynamic space for discussions, book launches, and meaningful dialogue. Again, the festival reinforces its position as Karachi’s leading platform for literary and artistic expression.
