The 8th edition of the Adab Festival Pakistan celebrated the country’s rich literary and cultural heritage with great enthusiasm earlier this month. The festival featured a diverse lineup of speakers, intellectuals, and artists, offering thought-provoking discussions, captivating performances, and vibrant celebrations.

The opening day included a compelling play, Unfit Ball Hai Dunya Mere Agay by Khaled Anam of Grips Theatre. The inauguration ceremony featured speeches and the presentation of the prestigious Adab Festival/Infaq Foundation Literary Awards, which honored exceptional works in Urdu, Sindhi, and English literature, among other categories.

The festival’s programming encompassed a wide array of topics, from Pakistan’s economic policies and governance to cultural heritage, social justice, feminism, and education.

Notable sessions included discussions on Jinnah’s Vision Revisited: Pakistan at 77, the evolving landscape of Urdu literature, Pakistan’s agricultural potential, and the ongoing struggles for women’s rights and gender equality. The festival also celebrated Sindh’s Sufi traditions and explored the history and culture of Karachi.

These conversations illuminated the evolving narrative and culinary heritage of Pakistan’s largest metropolis. Another highlight of the festival was the launch of Omar Shahid Hamid’s novel, The Election, which captivated the audience with its timely theme and engaging discourse. The Adab Festival also featured a satirical performance by Anwar Maqsood and a brilliant musical performance by Arieb Azhar.