17th Karachi Literature Festival ends with healthy cultural debates

Published on: February 10, 2026 5:13 AM

The 17th Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) came to a vibrant close on its third and final day, celebrating literature, culture, education and public discourse. From early morning debates to an evening qawwali, the festival reaffirmed KLF’s role as Pakistan’s most inclusive and dynamic intellectual platform. The day opened with an inter-school debate on ‘Literature Today: Elitist or Essential?’ setting the tone for discussions on access, relevance and the future of ideas. The participating schools were KGS, Lyceum and Cedar College. KGS was the winner. Dramatic readings by Yousuf Bashir Qureshi, Ali Mazhar and Usman Qureshi created a literary buzz. Literature sessions celebrated classic and emerging writers. Sessions were held on Jane Austen, global and local issues, including women and children’s health amid climate change, shifting power dynamics in South Asia, policing and civic accountability in Karachi and the future of higher education. “Academic freedom is essential for universities. Universities in Pakistan are not enriching young minds to be free but rather mind control,” Pervez Hoodbhoy said in a session. Throughout the three-day event, literature remained at the heart of the festival, with book launches and author talks drawing strong interest.