Lahore is set to host Punjabi voices from across the world with notable writers, scholars, artists and professionals from nine countries to gather under one roof to celebrate their language and culture, and open new debates and addressing challenges shaping Punjab’s future.
The three-day event, to be hosted at the Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture (PILAC), will bring together an unusually diverse gathering of writers, academics, artists, politicians, scientists, journalists, filmmakers, businesspeople and farmers from Pakistan and abroad.
The conference is being organised by the Punjabi Parchar Organisation in collaboration with Punjabi Lehar and PILAC.
Announcing the event at a press conference, chief organiser Ahmed Raza Punjabi said the fourth edition would be held on a much larger scale than its predecessors. Thousands of participants from Pakistani Punjab are expected to attend, alongside international guests representing the worldwide Punjabi community.
The conference will go beyond literature, with organisers planning discussions on some of the most pressing issues affecting Punjab and Punjabi communities across the globe.
Ahmed Raza Punjabi said the gathering would provide a platform for prominent personalities from Pakistani Punjab and successful members of the Punjabi diaspora to examine major challenges facing the region and explore possible solutions.
Conference focal person Dr Zaheer Wattoo said 10 panel discussions would form a major part of the programme, covering Punjabi language and literature, environmental concerns, agriculture, politics, sports, film and Punjabi nationalism.
Academics associated with leading universities around the world will also present research papers during the three-day event, giving the conference an international academic dimension.
According to Dr Wattoo, separate committees have already been established for different fields. These committees will select speakers from Pakistan and overseas for the various panel discussions. The conference will not be limited to speeches and academic debates.
Organisers have planned a vibrant cultural programme featuring Punjabi performances, live music and theatre. Nine Punjabi singers from different countries are expected to take the stage, adding an international musical flavour to the gathering.
The event will also focus heavily on younger generations, with organisers introducing competitions designed to connect young people with Punjabi through both traditional and modern forms of expression. The competitions will include public speaking, modern technology, short films, social media reels, singing, poetry and scientific innovation.
Literature will remain at the heart of the conference, with two Punjabi books scheduled to be launched each day of the three-day event.
The books will include works by authors from Pakistan, the United States and Canada, highlighting the growing contribution of the Punjabi diaspora to the language’s literary landscape. The conference will culminate in a major awards ceremony on its final day, when 16 awards in eight categories will be presented to individuals recognised for their contributions to Punjab and Punjabi culture.
Eight awards will go to recipients from Pakistani Punjab, while the remaining honours will recognise Punjabi personalities from the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
With Pakistani Punjab and delegates arriving from nine countries, the conference is shaping up as more than a literary gathering. Organisers hope it will serve as a platform connecting Punjab with its global diaspora while bringing language, culture, academia and contemporary issues under one roof.
