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14th KLF begins to captivate audiences with diverse array of offerings

KARACHI staff report

The much-awaited 14th edition of the Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) commenced here on Friday, marking the beginning of a literary extravaganza that promises to captivate audiences with its vibrant and diverse array of offerings.

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The KLF, the flagship literary initiative of Oxford University Press (OUP) Pakistan, brings together a host of luminaries from the world of literature, culture, and academia. The festival offers a unique platform for both emerging and established writers to share their ideas, experiences, and insights, thereby showcasing the best of Pakistan's literary scene. The opening ceremony of the KLF was graced by the presence of Dr Adeebul Hasan Rizvi, the celebrated philanthropist and founder of SIUT, who served as the chief guest.

The theme of the Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) for this year is "People, Planet, and Possibilities" focusing on the current economic and geopolitical hurdles that the world is facing, as well as the consequences of climate change, such as the catastrophic floods in Pakistan and the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

In his inaugural address, Mr. Arshad Saeed Hussain, Managing Director, Oxford University Press Pakistan, said, “The Karachi Literature Festival is a beacon of hope and discourse, bringing together participants from around the country and around the world. Our theme for the 14th KLF, 'People, Planet, Possibilities,' reflects the challenging times we find ourselves in.”

Nicole Theriot, US Consul General

Karachi, Martin Dawson, Acting Deputy High

Commissioner, British Deputy High Commission, Alexis Chahtanhtinsky, Consul General of France and Danilo Giurdanella, Consul General of Italy graced the event as Guests of Honour and shared their valuable insights.

The first day of KLF also saw key note speeches by Noorul Huda Shah, Dramatist, short story writer, and poet as well as Sherry Rehman, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environment.

In two days that follow, the festival will cover a host of literary programmes which will be participated by leading scholars, literary personalities and academic figures from Pakistan and abroad.

Speaking at the event in her keynote speech, Sherry Rehman, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environment talked about the climate change, conservation of water and the challenges Pakistan faces.

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