platform where literary experts came together to transport the audience into a boundless world of words and ideas, the 10th Islamabad Literature Festival featured diverse voices, transcending regional differences to celebrate storytelling. The festival’s literary journey was inaugurated by Arshad Saeed Husain, who raised questions about the future direction of our interconnected world. Framing the discussion in light of the resurgence of territorial and resource conflicts for dominance and control, the significance of words and ideas took centre stage.

With over 50 sessions, 18 book launches, and a Sufi music performance, the festival sparked thought-provoking discussions and embraced the promise of tomorrow.

The event opened with a session by Zehra Nigah on life and poetry, highlighting the power of the written word and its role in shaping communities. Spanning three days, the festival introduced a range of emerging writers and poets. Notable highlights included Telling Twilight and Akbar in Wonderland in Urdu fiction. Additionally, a documentary on the National Art Gallery of Pakistan by Naeem Pasha honoured the award-winning architect’s vision, transforming a passion for art and creativity into a cultural and historical monument.

The inclusion of diverse regional languages throughout the festival confronted the audience with the importance of acceptance and honouring difference. Afrasiab Khattak shared insights into the current landscape of Pashto literature, discussing how innovation and experimentation are affecting various genres of Pashto poetry, such as Haiku and free verse. It was enlightening to learn that Pashto has written literature dateing back to the 12th Century. The session highlighted the urgent need to recognise diversity as an active force to bridge gaps. The panelists celebrated the strength, warmth and richness of the differences. Shahida Shah dwelt on the role of female voices in strengthening the Pashto literary canon.

On Saturday, 9th November, the standout sessions focused on Iqbal’s relevance in modern times and Pakistan’s climate future. Iqbal’s revolutionary contributions to societal reform were discussed by Fateh Muhammad Malik, Sarwat Mohiuddin, Najeeba Arif and Walid Iqbal. Criticising the ongoing “democratic spectacle,” Malik questioned the realisation of Iqbal’s concept of Sultani-i-Jamhur in Pakistan and other nations. Intriguingly, Iqbal’s primary sources of inspiration, after the Quran and Sunnah, included his own mother. Walid Iqbal shared an excerpt from a letter Iqbal wrote upon her passing, where he lamented the loss, saying:

Framing the discussion in light of the resurgence of territorial and resource conflicts for dominance and control, the significance of words and ideas took centre stage.

If in this garden the breasts of the tulip and the rose are torn, so what?

If nightingales are forced to cry and lament, so what?

Najeeba Arif recalled Iqbal’s plea for youth enlightenment and the dispelling of ignorance’s darkness.

The discussion on climate issues, often seen as an abstract concept in Pakistan, was brought to the forefront by Maha Hussain and her panel, who raised urgent awareness about the alarming patterns of extreme weather events threatening the fundamental rights of the nation. This discussion encouraged the audience to reflect deeply on their right to a clean environment. Experts like Aisha Khan, Abid Suleyri, Rina Saeed Khan and Ali Tauqeer Sheikh offered an overview of Pakistan’s climate challenges and the policies required to address those. The water crisis was identified as a primary factor exacerbating climate change, with the strategic importance of the HKH (Hindukush and Himalayan) mountain range highlighted as a crucial factor affecting the future of South Asia.

In this context, the concept of hydro-solidarity emerged as vital for sustaining regional cooperation and integrated economic growth. Additionally, the panel proposed climate diplomacy as an essential goal, urging a decoupling of politics from environmental issues to foster inter-regional collaboration for more effective climate policies.

On the final day of the Festival, the session on Social Media: Free Speech vs Censorship captivated the audience by exploring the potential of social media as a democratised platform for nations, while acknowledging the threat uneven access to it can pose to state interests. The panel delved into the challenges of video journalism and the proliferation of fake news, sharing strategies to counteract false narratives and riots sparked by misinformation. Khayyam Mushir posed a critical question on the unending pursuit of truth—a shared quest across communities worldwide. The issue of authenticity in journalism was raised, with a focus on the challenges faced in instilling this value in young journalists. Munizae Jahangir highlighted the dangers of misinformation spread through social media and expressed concern over the ‘conditional freedom of speech’ afforded under Article 19. The panelists leaned towards empowerment through trust and transparency.

ILF 2024 was widely praised for the variety of topics it addressed. Its engagement with Pakistan’s diverse regional languages stood out as a remarkable feature. As Muzeeza Shamsie noted, ILF provided a platform to connect with new talent, bridging the past, present and future. The closing ceremony reiterated the profound influence of literature in shaping perspectives across boundaries. ILF 2024 inspired audiences to think critically, bridging generational and regional divides to portray a vibrant and positive image of Pakistan.

Najeeba Arif closed the discussions on a reflective note, emphasising the transformative power of words in a world strained by economic challenges and materialism. She urged the audience to consider how, in a century where human rights are championed, we might use our voices to advocate for peace in the face of global conflict. The festival was a thought-provoking reminder of literature’s enduring role in advocating for unity and understanding amidst societal upheaval.

The reviewer is a lecturer at the Department of English Language and Literature, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore