Punjab

Fate of Lahore Literary Festival hangs in balance

Organisers claim event will be held as per schedule; security confirmation awaited

Mariam Shafqat February 23, 2017

Organisers claim the event will be held as scheduled; security confirmation awaited. PHOTO: APP

LAHORE: The fate of Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) scheduled for Friday has remained unclear in the wake of the security situation following the terrorist attack that claimed 13 lives.

The three-day gathering is scheduled to be held at alHamra Art Centre onMall Road from Friday, February 24, to Sunday, February 26. Eminent writers, historians, artists and opinion makers from the country and abroad are to take part in the open-to-public event.

On Wednesday evening, one of LLF board members Nuscie Jamil asserted that the festival will begin as planned at alHamra Mall Road, saying a complete schedule will be announced shortly.

Lahore gears up for fifth episode of literary festival

Jamil added, however, that they are waiting for the authorities concerned to give them a go ahead in view of the security situation.

erroneous information. The Festival is going ahead!
— LLF (@lhrlitfest) February 23, 2017

Similarly, public relations officer at deputy commissioner's office Imran Maqbool said that the no-objection certificate (NOC) for the festival has not been revoked by the office, passing the buck to relevant security officials and LLF to manage security.

On the contrary, alHamra Art Council's public relations officer (PRO) Subha Sadiq remained unsure of the event, saying nothing could be confirmed at this stage.

Eight killed, 21 injured in bomb attack in Lahore's Defence

The festival aims to bring together, discuss, and celebrate the diverse and pluralistic literary traditions of Lahore; a city of art, activism, and emerging ideas. The LLF features discussions on a variety of subjects - fiction and nonfiction writing, music, painting, filmmaking, architecture, politics - to reclaim and employ the provincial capital's rich and varied literary traditions.

About 100 thinkers from Lebanon, Syria, Indonesia, South Africa, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries would be a part of the event.

Pakistan Army recently announced launch of a nationwide military offensive, codenamed Radd-ul-Fasaad (suppressing mischief), with an aim to eliminate remnants of terrorists, following a sharp spike in terrorist attacks.