Role of literature in building harmonious society highlighted

Islamabad:The ninth ‘Adab Festival Pakistan’ hosted by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad in collaboration with Lightstone Publishers featured engaging daylong sessions highlighting the role played by literature in building a harmonious society.

ISSI Director General and former ambassador Sohail Mahmood emphasised Pakistan’s literary richness and ISSI’s commitment to fostering creativity through literature. He highlighted the Adab Festival’s role in promoting book reading, especially among youth, as a vital balancing factor in the digital age.

Mahmood lauded the festival as a platform to celebrate cultural pluralism, inspire dialogue, and explore creative ideas. Ameena Saiyid of Lightstone Publishers highlighted the transformative power of literature festivals in honouring writers, researchers, and poets, while addressing societal challenges and reinforcing cultural identity.

Dr. Najeeba Arif of Pakistan academy of Letters emphasised literature’s role in fostering humanity, hope, and soft power, stressing its influence in shaping a nation’s cultural and intellectual landscape. The first session of the Adab Festival, titled ‘Jinnah's Vision for Pakistan – A Call for Action,’ featured insightful remarks by Barrister Yasser Latif Hamdani, author of the book.

Barrister Hamdani emphasised Jinnah’s role as a key legislator in Pakistan’s formation, contrasting his inclusive vision with Gandhi’s focus on religion in politics. He said Jinnah envisioned a state, promoting harmony among diverse communities while fostering a modern Muslim society grounded in its religious roots.

The session highlighted the need to realign contemporary discourse with Jinnah’s ideals, advocating for a more inclusive and harmonious society. The second session, titled ‘Leadership and Legacy,’ featured an engaging discussion with former ambassador Dr. Maleeha Lodhi and journalists Zahid Hussain and Arifa Noor.

Zahid Hussain stressed the importance of history for the younger generation, reflecting on Pakistan's challenges and sharing insights from interviews with figures like Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Rajiv Gandhi.

Dr. Maleeha Lodhi highlighted unlearned lessons from history; missed opportunities in land reforms, education etc.; and the role of individuals in shaping history. Arifa Noor explored the evolution of political leaders and the need for balanced journalism to capture complex realities.

Following an inspiring Sufi performance by Arieb Azhar, the third session of the Adab Festival, titled ‘Reimagining Education: New Frontiers and Opportunities,’ focused on critical challenges and innovative solutions in the education sector.

Former secretary Shakeel Durani highlighted illiteracy as a central issue, advocating for community schools and emphasizing that just Rs15 billion annually could enrol 26 million out-of-school children. He also called for technology and policy interventions in remote areas.

Ehtesham Anwar stressed the need to prioritize education and address overpopulation and systemic issues. Uzma Yousuf highlighted the role of parents, economic relevance in education, and the importance of teacher training. Hassan Khan advocated for a shift towards Education 5.0, incorporating AI, augmented reality, and project-based learning to equip students with future-ready skills, urging a collective responsibility for systemic transformation.

The fourth session of the Adab Festival, titled ‘Her Story, Her Voice: Celebrating Women's Empowerment,’ explored themes of activism, optimism, and collaboration. Dr. Fouzia Saeed, the author of the book, emphasised the need to highlight positive advancements in the country to foster a sense of hope.

Fazila Aliani reflected on her advocacy for Balochistan, calling for political collaboration and collective action to drive progress. The fifth session, titled "Pakistan and the Changing Global Scenario," moderated by Omayr Aziz Saiyid, focused on Pakistan’s strategic positioning amid global power shifts. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed discussed the "Asian Century," emphasizing Pakistan's ‘tactical’ ties with the US and “strategic” partnership with China. He called for political reconciliation and a strong counter-terrorism strategy.