10th Islamabad literature festival concludes highlighting Pakistan’s literary legacy & future
The 10th Islamabad Literature Festival (ILF) ‘Words Change Mindsets’ comprising 50 intellectually inspired sessions, including movie screening, dance recital, mushairas, theatre, and a memorable Sufi night concluded with a fantastic closing ceremony at the Allama Iqbal Auditorium. The event was graced by more than 100 prominent figures in literature and art who spoke and reflected as keynotes and panelists in the festival, and esteemed guests.
Commenting on the transformative character of such events, renowned writer, and critic Muneeza Shamsie shared, “ILF has shown us the unifying power of words, fostering dialogue across divides and inspiring change.” Poet and writer Najeeba Arif echoed the sentiment, adding, “Literature shapes our perspectives and allows us to see the world through others’ eyes.”
The event also featured remarks by Mohammad Mikail Soomro, Head of Corporate Communications, Getz Pharma, who emphasized the value of supporting literary platforms, saying, “We are proud to be part of an initiative that encourages intellectual discourse and nurtures Pakistan’s vibrant literary culture.
A day earlier on Saturday Chairman of the Millennium Education Group, Dr Faisal Mushtaq TI, hosted dinner in honour of the delegates and speakers of the 10th Islamabad Literature Festival and paid tributes to the organizers including Oxford University Press (OUP) and others.
The dinner was graced by Pakistan’s former Ambassador to the US Sardar Masood Khan was the Chief Guest on the occasion. The dinner was attended by, besides the delegates of the Literature Festival a large number of dignitaries, notable figures of the town, members of academia and civil society. Ambassador Masood Khan in his address paid glowing tributes to the organizers of the ILF and called them as movers and shakers of society. “You are doing a great work by bridging the gap between book and the reader and creating interest in the common man to read books which is indeed a need of the hour,” he said.
No nation in the world can think of progress unless its citizens are well-read, he said giving examples of many developed countries where people religiously and rigorously read books. OUP MD, Arshad Saeed Husain also spoke on the occasion and expressed satisfaction at the level of participation in the three-day event. This is quite reassuring and shows we are intellectually alive, he said.
