The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi organized an important press conference regarding “Pakistan Literature Festival 2025 Sukkur Chapter II”. The event was held at Haseena Moin Hall. The event featured briefings of Provincial Minister for Culture, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah; President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Muhammad Ahmed Shah; renowned author Noorul Huda Shah; Chairman of the Sindh Local Council Association, Syed Kumail Hyder Shah; Vice Chancellor of Sukkur IBA, Asif Ahmed Sheikh, and Secretary Arts Council, Ejaz Farooqi.
On this occasion, the President of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, stated that the two-day Pakistan Literature Festival 2025 Sukkur Chapter II will begin on February 25. Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, will inaugurate the festival. More than 30 sessions will be held during the festival, featuring writers, poets, and artists nationwide. He further mentioned that the purpose of this festival is not just for entertainment. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in violence and extremism in Sindh, and cultural events like this act as a barrier against such issues. The Festival will also pay tribute to prominent Sindhi poets Akash Ansari and Zulfiqar Sial for their contributions to literature.
On the first day of the Festival, several important sessions will be held, including discussions on Sindhi literature in the 21st century, the challenges faced by the youth of Sindh and potential solutions, high standards of higher education, and exploring Pakistan’s role in the changing global landscape. Additionally, there will be sessions on violence against women, delving into its causes and possible solutions, focusing on the modern era, the film and TV industry, and the strategies for economic revival.
He mentioned that Sukkur is our home, and we have organized festivals in Lahore, Kashmir, and Quetta. Sindh government’s support has always been with us, and Provincial Minister for Culture, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, has been working hard to promote art and culture. Discussions will also focus on the role of art in society, modernizing Sindh’s agricultural economy, the future of AI and education, Preservation of Sukkur and Rohri’s historical heritage, and the challenges they face.
Notable figures such as Sukkur Mayor Arsalan Islam Sheikh, Sultana Siddiqui, Syed Kumail Hyder Shah, Sohail Warraich, Yousuf Bashir Qureshi (YBQ), young poet Ali Zaryoun, Umair Najmi, Tehzeeb Hafi, Fariha Naqvi, Imran Aami. Comedian Ali Ghulam Mallah, and Sohrab Soomro will also contribute to the festival. Ali Azmat, Havi, Akhtar Chanal Zahri, Khudgarz, Mai Dhai, Arman Rahim, Mustafa Baloch, Gizri, Bahadur Ali Abro, Muneeb Khan, and Mahnoor Channa will perform at the event, while a mega mushaira will be held at the IBA cricket ground. Universities from all over Sindh are participating in the festival, with over 50,000 registrations already received. On the first day of the festival, a Sufi Night will feature performances by Hamza Akram Qawwal, Sanam Marvi, and Ahsan Bari.
Provincial Minister for Culture, Syed Zulfiqar Shah, expressed his gratitude to the media for its consistent support in promoting art and culture. He emphasized the importance of organizing such festivals, as they play a vital role in spreading Pakistan’s soft image worldwide. The government will also initiate a tourism train to promote travel, with people from nearby districts of Sukkur attending the festival. Young people will have the opportunity to learn a lot from this event.
Chairman of the Sindh Local Council Association, Kumail Hyder Shah, thanked Ahmed Shah and Zulfiqar Shah for bringing the festival back to Sukkur. He mentioned that the first Sukkur Chapter was the largest festival in Pakistan’s history, and Sukkur is gaining recognition because of it. Renowned author Noorul Huda Shah remarked that the issues of Sukkur are the same as those of Sindh, and Ahmed Shah deserves credit for addressing these issues. She highlighted that during the last festival, young people from all backgrounds participated actively, and the event encouraged open dialogue and awareness.
The Vice Chancellor of Sukkur IBA, Asif Ahmed Sheikh, noted that IBA Sindh is a major institution, and its mission is to provide students with not only education but also exposure to positive activities. The university has supported the festival, and once again, Sukkur is in need of such an event to provide youth with a strong platform. Secretary Arts Council, Ejaz Ahmed Farooqi, stated that the Pakistan Literature Festival is not just any ordinary event; cities are competing to host it. The role of the media in this regard is commendable.
