The 10th edition of the Islamabad Literature Festival (ILF), organised by Oxford University Press (OUP) Pakistan in collaboration with Getz Pharma and NEO Paints (Gold Sponsor), kicked off Friday, drawing an enthusiastic crowd eager to engage with this year's theme, "Sustainability: Words Change Mindsets." The event sparked insightful discussions and celebrated the power of literature in promoting sustainability.
ILF has become a key platform for intellectual exchange and literary exploration in Pakistan's capital. The inaugural session featured an inspiring welcome address by Arshad Saeed Husain, Managing Director of Oxford University Press Pakistan, and keynotes from notable figures including HE Jane Marriot, British High Commissioner to Pakistan; Maleeha Lodhi, former Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations; and Zehra Nigah, poet and scriptwriter.
The session concluded with a captivating performance, "Jaag," by Samiya Mumtaz and Adnan Jahangir.
In a conversation with Vaqar Ahmed, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, discussed Pakistan's investment climate and the need for tax reforms to ensure long-term economic stability. He emphasised the importance of reducing government dependence and privatizing state-owned enterprises (SOEs) for better management.
Jane Marriott CMG OBE, British High Commissioner to Pakistan, shared her thoughts on the UK's focus on addressing both climate and educational emergencies in Pakistan. She underscored the responsibility of those in power to drive change and the potential of literature to change mind-sets. Natalie Baker, US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, expressed her enthusiasm for Pakistan's rich culture and urged attendees to explore the country's language and history.
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