Sukkur, In a recent press conference at IBA Sukkur’s campus 1 auditorium, the forthcoming “Pakistan Literature Festival 2023” (Sukkur Chapter) was announced. This two-day event, set to commence on October 28, is the product of the collaborative efforts between the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi and IBA University Sukkur.
According to a news release by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, the conference was graced by numerous dignitaries, including President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmad Shah, Vice Chancellor IBA University Sukkur Professor Dr. Asif Ahmed Sheikh, Mayor Sukkur Barrister Arslan Islam Sheikh, Chairman District Council Sukkur Syed Kumail Haider Shah, HOD IBA Sukkur Abdul Wahid Qazi, and President of Sukkur Arts Council Mumtaz Bukhari. Together, they provided an in-depth briefing on the festival’s agenda and significance.
President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmad Shah remarked that the festival’s inauguration would be officiated by the Chief Minister of Sindh, Justice (r) Maqbool Baqar. Highlighting the event’s cultural importance, Shah noted that the Arts Council of Pakistan has consistently promoted the culture of Karachi Sindh with the aim of unifying diverse societal factions. He recalled previous literature festivals hosted in places like Lahore, Kashmir, Houston, and Chicago. The president also extended gratitude to IBA Sukkur and Mumtaz Bukhari for their commendable contributions and support.
Vice-Chancellor IBA University Sukkur, Professor Dr. Asif Ahmad Sheikh, expressed his pride in hosting the event, emphasizing its magnitude for Sukkur. He believes that the Pakistan Literature Festival will serve as a crucial platform to engage the youth with literature. The diverse sessions planned for the event span topics from literature, journalism, education, to Sindhi literature, and will also include mushaira, musical programs, and discussions on societal concerns like child cruelty and age-old traditions. Chief Minister Sindh will inaugurate the festival, with the closing ceremony seeing the presence of Governor Sindh, Kamran Khan Tessori.
Mayor Sukkur Barrister Arslan Islam Sheikh championed the festival as an essential event for Sukkur, noting that it would address both cultural appreciation and critical societal issues. Chairman District Council Sukkur, Syed Kumail Haider Shah, reminisced about his involvement with literature and culture and expressed full support for the festival. Mumtaz Bukhari, President of Sukkur Arts Council, acknowledged that while the Literature Festival has its roots in Karachi, its expansion to Sukkur is a testament to the efforts of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi in promoting art and culture both locally and internationally.