The Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) 2025 has officially opened. The festival will feature literary excellence, thought-provoking discussions, and cultural programs. Organized by Oxford University Press Pakistan (OUPP), the three-day festival is themed “Narratives from the Soil.” The Government of Sindh is the title sponsor of this literary event, with Habib Bank Limited and Getz Pharma serving as platinum and gold sponsors, respectively.

The event is set to continue for two more days. Here is what to expect in the event:

February 8 Schedule Highlights:

The second day will feature sessions on a variety of topics, including the role of media in youth mental health, the impact of our culture, the evolution of books from print to ebook, and the role of organizational leadership in shaping culture. Several book launches are also scheduled, including “Dosti Ka Safar aur Siyasi Sargarmiyan”, “Gulestan-e-Sadi Se Teen Kahaniyan”, and a collection of poems by North American women poets. Other sessions will explore Pakistan’s identity and future, the effectiveness of youth engagement in education, and voices in global English literature.

The afternoon program includes a book launch for a book by Muin Akhtar, a one-man show featuring Anwer Maqsood and Zeba Shahnaz, and sessions on Pakistan’s constitution and the rule of law (featuring Senator Raza Rabbani), a discussion on the book “Aina Dekha Na Jaye” by Kishwar Naheed, and a session on the history of book fairs. Additional sessions will focus on climate change (with Senator Sherry Rehman), education (with singer Shahzad Roy and Provincial Minister Syed Sardar Shah), and a book launch for Shahid Siddiqui’s book “Asmaan Dar Asmaan”, featuring renowned poet Nasira Zebari.

The day will conclude with a poetry recital presided over by renowned Urdu poet Iftikhar Arif, featuring prominent poets from across Pakistan, followed by a screening of the Pakistani film “Nayab” by actress Yamna Zaidi.

February 9 Schedule Highlights:

The third day begins with sessions on Pakistan-Bangladesh relations (featuring Ikram Majeed Sehgal and Mushahid Hussain Syed) and Pakistan’s population. A discussion on the decline of political standards in electronic and social media will feature prominent figures like Azhar Abbas, Amber Rahim Shamsi, and Faisal Sabzwari.

Further book launches include Nasira Zubairi’s “Be-Mausimi Khwahishen”. Sessions on Sachal, Sami, and Latif, the achievements of Pakistani television, poetry, the complete works of Ahmed Faraz, and Karachi’s stories and poems are also scheduled.