Adab Festival ends on intellectual note

Concluding day features discussions on politics, book launches, fun and music

KARACHI:

The two-day fourth Adab Festival concluded on Sunday with discussions on politics and economy, book launches, students and children activities, fun and music. The second day was even more packed with people of all ages pouring in through the day.

Every space, sessions, children’s tent, art exhibit, book and education fairs and food court were overflowing with people especially women, children and the youth. Scores of people of all ages participated in gatherings of their own interests at city’s one of the oldest public park - the Frere Hall.

Festival’s second day opened with a session for students on building innovation and capacity in the creative sectors by Dr Samina Zahir. Speakers during the day included Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Zehra Nigah, Arfa Syeda Zehra, Aitzaz Ahsan, Sultana Siddiqui, Dr Ishrat Husain, Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Kishwar Naheed, Iftikhar Arif and Masood Lohar.

The literary sessions were interactive with endless questions asked by the engaged audiences. The sittings included a talk between Aysha Baqir and Amna R Ali on Aysha’s brilliant novel Beyond the Fields and another between Irshad Abdul Kadir and Maheen Usmani on Irshad’s novel ‘The Lady of Sohanbela’ about a woman gaddi nasheen.

Another session was on a poetry book by Nafisa Itaat Husain introduced by Quratul Ain Hyder and endorsed by Zehra Nigah and Fahmida Riaz with participants, Sheema Kermani, Ameena Saiyid and Nafisa’s grandchildren. Apart from other important discussion, an interesting discussion held between former senator Javed Jabbar and Dr Huma Baqai on the topic titled ‘Political Memoirs: Ciphers and Supplement to History’.

Jabbar recalled how in the 90s, Benazir Bhutto did not have the Punjab government with her and she also did not have the army fully with her. “That created a biggest obstacle to her being able to function effectively as a prime minister,” he said. Baqai said branding people into democrats and dictators is somewhat unfair.

“Civilian are also capable of being very authoritarian, dictatorial in their parties and never hold authentic, fair elections,” he explained. Speaking on the tenure of General Pervez Musharraf, he said, he was more democratically inclined individual than civil democrats. He was willing to accept dissent within the cabinet. To pass the law to introduce private electronic media, he said, was a sign of democracy by Musharraf.

Senior politician Aitzaz Ahsan said, “Over the last 30 years the World Order has changed in a manner which has made China a net beneficiary and America and Europe the net losers.” He said most of the goods available in the market are ‘Made in China’ which makes it a global power. He also talked about Afghanistan’s present situation and the role of Pakistan in it. He said that the nuclear bomb was made to protect Pakistan not to protect it on the cost of Pakistan itself. “Nobody is bothered about the millions of people in the province [Sindh] and other parts of the country starving,” said Abdullah Hussain Haroon, the former Pakistan’s representative in United Nations, regarding Matiari corruption scandal and transfer of the money from the bank. “We have not given any attention to governance,” he added.

Pakistan was borrowing more money, he said and questioned, who will pay back. A separate section dedicated for children, programs were organized to encourage children to read through storytelling, music and performances.

Through the literature festival, new ‘innovative’ creative approaches were introduced to create awareness about climate change among the audience through books, debates, art and the arts. At the closing ceremony, Ameena Saiyid and Shama Askari thanked Murtaza Wahab, the authors, artists, Lightstone Publishers’ team and sponsors for their support of the 4th Adab Festival.

The closing Keynote speeches were made by Zafar Masud and Árfa Sayeda Zehra and the day ended with riveting performances by Rosemary Mushtaq, Shayma Saiyid, rap singer Kaifee Khalil and a concert by Laal.