The sixth edition of the Sindh Literature Festival (SLF) focused on climate change along with literary pursuits as it got under way at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi on Friday. The three-day festival started with folk music and will end on Sunday.
At the inaugural session, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that 1.4 million houses were completely destroyed by the 2022 floods in Sindh. "Over 12 million people were affected," he said while urging people to adapt their behavior according to the changing environment.
Over 100 experts and speakers will take part in a variety of discussions focusing on climate change but ranging in issues from literature to folk music, politics and identity, women's rights and marginalized groups. The festival includes book launches, performances, recitations and speeches. It will also include tributes to heavyweights of Sindhi literature and folklore.
Sindh Education and Culture Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah said that cultural activities, literary figures and saints helped overcome extremism in the subcontinent.
The festival's chief organizer, Naseer Gopang, said that such festivals provide a platform to learn and exchange ideas with the public.
The opening session was climate change and how it impacts our future. Development worker Naseer Memon said that natural waterways had been blocked to accommodate development and it caused the floods. "Millions suffered. Most of them are still homeless and need immediate attention." Water expert Dr Hassan Abbas warned about the rapid shift in weather patterns and pointed out that Sindh was the most vulnerable as it is located downstream.
Environmental Javed Hussain said that agricultural workers, especially women cotton-pickers, had lost their livelihoods due to the floods. "The crisis is unfolding in phases and the people impacted by it have not been compensated by the government," he said. "It's not over yet. You'll have horror stories in the coming days," he warned.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 4th, 2023.
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