Literature, culture can help preserve national identity: CM

Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar inaugurated two-day Pakistan Literature Festival 2023, jointly organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) Karachi and IBA University Sukkur. Literary enthusiasts and dignitaries attended the opening ceremony.

The CM expressed his appreciation for holding such an event in Sukkur, highlighting its significance for promoting intellectual and cultural activities.

ACP President Ahmed Shah, IBA Sukkur Vice Chancellor Dr Asif Ahmed Sheikh, and notable figures including Dr Jafar Ahmed and Naseer Ahmed Memon were also present on the occasion who delivered keynote speeches, while well-known scholars, writers, playwrights, and poets, were also in attendance.

The festival features a wide array of stalls showcasing various books, clothing, and food items, capturing the attention of visitors.

The CM praised the festival as a testament to the enduring spirit of the nation. He expressed gratitude to the ACP president for the invitation, acknowledging the role of culture and literature in preserving the national identity. He commended organisations like the ACP for their dedication to promoting creativity and intellectual discourse through events like the Pakistan Literature Festival.

The festival offers a platform for ideas, imaginations, and diverse voices. In a time of internal and external challenges, recreational activities and literary fairs provide information and entertainment. The chief minister encouraged fostering a sense of unity through shared cultural activities, emphasising the importance of such events during challenging times.

ACP president, in his speech, stressed the historical and cultural significance of Sukkur. He called for connecting people through culture, particularly focusing on the youth, with a goal of raising awareness of their cultural heritage.

IBA Sukkur Vice Chancellor Dr Asif Ahmed Sheikh praised the event as a memorable milestone in Sukkur's history and congratulated the ACP for their efforts in organising the festival. He paid tribute to the visionary IBA founder Nisar Ahmed Siddiqui, whose dream laid the foundation for IBA Sukkur's success.

Naseer Ahmed Memon, while delivering his keynote speech, celebrated the unity of diverse individuals at the festival and encouraged collaborative efforts to advance the region's economy and empower its youth.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2023.