Print

    4th Islamabad Literature Festival Lights Up Lok Virsa

    Written by: Mirza Salam Ahmed
    Posted on: April 19, 2016 |

    A session on ‘Regional Connectivity and Stability’ (source: Pakistan Today)

    The 4th Islamabad Literature Festival was held this past weekend, with special tributes given to the late Intizar Hussain and Fatima Surraya Bajia. As per norm, the event was celebrated among literary masses, who flocked from as far as Lahore to be part of the event. Oxford University Press (OUP) took a brilliant step to get Lok Virsa onboard and provide the venue, whilst joining hands with reputable institutions such as the Embassy of France, the USAID-funded Pakistan Reading Project, British High Commission, The World Bank Group, and ICAS.

    The three-day event featured a number of informative and enriching sessions that received an encouraging response from visitors and literature enthusiasts. Among the highlights were ‘Regional Connectivity and Stability’ featuring the prize-winning British author and journalist Anatol Lieven with Hina Rabbani Khar and Nasim Zehra, ‘Bajia: A Tribute’ in memory of the great writer Fatima Surayya Bajia, ‘Baloch Literature and Society’ which was moderated by renowned journalist Mujahid Barelvi, ‘Pakistani English Literature’ which was moderated by Muneeza Shamsie and featured young talent in English writing, and ‘Media: More Independent, Less Responsible’ which traced the role of Pakistani media in shaping public perception. ‘Cultural Policy and Dynamics in South Asia’, which was moderated by Mohammad Waseem, was another session that sparked an enlightening discussion and garnered particular interest among visitors. Internationally renowned Indian lawyer Sumant Batra was amongst the chief guests at the session, along with Pakistani artist Salima Hashmi and Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr. Fouzia Saeed.

    4th Islamabad Literature Festival 2016 at Lok Virsa

    Former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri arrived on the closing day as well to talk about his book ‘Neither a Hawk nor a Dove: An Insider’s Account of Pakistan’s Foreign Relations including Details of the Kashmir Framework’. The session was met with great enthusiasm and had a star-studded panel that included Indian journalist Sudheendra Kulkarni, Mehr Tarar and Ashraf Jehangir Qazi.

    The closing ceremony on the third day was graced by an entrancing dance performance by Shayma Saiyid, which was loved by the audience. Lok Virsa decided to bring even more flavour to the event by introducing a special Sufi Musical Night.

    4th Islamabad Literature Festival 2016 at Lok Virsa

    (source: Daily Times PK)

    Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director of Oxford University Press, addressed the closing ceremony by mentioning the accomplishments of the ILF and expressing hope for even more success in the years to come. She was joined by the ILF co-founder Dr. Asif Farrukhi and French Political Analyst Christophe Jaffrelot in the closing ceremony address. “At ILF, we saw young people holding books and chasing authors for autographs. It was my dream come true, as I’ve always wanted our authors to be treated like rockstars,” said Ameena, who has become a literary icon in the federal capital. Expressing gratitude for being invited to this platform, Jaffrelot hailed ILF as a vital tool in bringing positive social change in our society. He further praised the sponsors and hosts for orchestrating a marvellous event which, he stated, was worthy of every compliment it had received.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021