KARACHI, Feb 06 (APP): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday inaugurated the 17th Karachi Literature Festival (KLF), describing literature as a vital force for social understanding, empathy, and resilience in an increasingly fragile world.
Addressing the opening ceremony, the Chief Minister congratulated Oxford University Press (OUP) Pakistan on successfully sustaining the festival for seventeen consecutive years, calling it a testament to vision, commitment, and consistency.
He said the Karachi Literature Festival has firmly established itself as one of Pakistan’s most significant cultural and intellectual platforms.
Referring to this year’s theme, “Literature in a Fragile World,” Murad Ali Shah said the modern era is marked by environmental stress, global uncertainty, technological change, and social complexity. In such times, he noted, literature plays a stabilising and humanising role by preserving memory, nurturing empathy, and enabling societies to reflect and reconnect across cultural and geographic boundaries.
Highlighting Sindh’s rich literary heritage, the Chief Minister said the province has produced enduring voices such as Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Sachal Sarmast, Shaikh Ayaz, and Mirza Qaleech Baig, whose works continue to promote tolerance, pluralism, and compassion. He stressed that these values are not confined to history but are urgently needed in today’s world.
The Chief Minister said Karachi has reclaimed its position as a vibrant hub of economic, intellectual, and cultural activity, and events like the Karachi Literature Festival contribute significantly to projecting a confident, creative, and enlightened image of Pakistan internationally. He added that KLF provides a meaningful platform for established authors, emerging writers, students, and readers to engage with ideas that shape both individual perspectives and collective futures.
Appreciating the role of Oxford University Press Pakistan, Murad Ali Shah said OUP’s contributions through publishing, educational initiatives, and support for KLF have strengthened Pakistan’s intellectual ecosystem. He announced that the Government of Sindh plans to collaborate with OUP under the Oxford Education Programme for Sindh to improve learning outcomes and empower teachers with modern skills and resources.
Reaffirming the provincial government’s commitment, the Chief Minister said Sindh will continue to support initiatives that promote learning, creativity, and cultural engagement. “Supporting arts and literature is not merely cultural patronage; it is an investment in social cohesion, critical thinking, and long-term progress,” he remarked.
Addressing the youth, he encouraged young people to develop a lasting relationship with books, saying time spent reading is never wasted. He also urged writers and artists to continue creating, questioning, and illuminating society, expressing confidence that Pakistan’s best intellectual contributions still lie ahead.
Concluding his address, the Chief Minister quoted Lord Byron to highlight the enduring power of words, expressing hope that the Karachi Literature Festival would continue to inspire dialogue, thought, and understanding well beyond its venues.