The 18th annual International Urdu Conference organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan began in Karachi on Thursday, bringing together writers, critics, scholars and art enthusiasts from across the country. The opening session featured speeches focusing on literature, culture and Pakistan’s place in the global literary landscape.
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Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, the chief guest, described Karachi as a “mini-Pakistan” and said the Arts Council reflected the city’s cultural soul. He praised the role of the council’s leadership in promoting dialogue through literature and the arts, and noted that Pakistan’s image abroad was witnessing a positive shift.
Snapshots from Ghazal Ka Safar ft. Muhammad Ali & Muhammad Zubair of the 18th Aalmi Urdu Conference 2025.
The Conference will continue till 28th December, 2025 at Arts Council, Karachi. For free registration visit https://t.co/U9jcT3UfFx#ArtsCouncil #ACPKHI #UrduConference pic.twitter.com/KMr4GjArTY
— Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi (@ACPKHI) December 25, 2025
In his welcome address, Arts Council President Ahmed Shah spoke about the origins of the International Urdu Conference and its growth into a major cultural event. He urged audiences to reaffirm faith in Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and national unity, while also extending Christmas greetings to the Christian community.
Renowned critic Nasir Abbas Nayyar delivered the keynote address, highlighting literature’s role in creating new spaces for thought and expression. He said literature remained deeply connected with its time and offered refuge during periods of social and political difficulty.
Mr Nayyar stressed the need for Pakistani literature, including Urdu and other local languages, to engage more actively with global literary discourse. He said that while some Urdu works had gained international recognition, Pakistani literature still lacked a strong global presence.
He also discussed contemporary challenges facing literature, including artificial intelligence, climate change and the post-truth era. He warned that AI posed a serious challenge to creativity, arguing that only writers whose imagination and dreams surpassed algorithms could truly compete.
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Poet Iftikhar Arif highlighted the Arts Council’s contributions to cultural life and emphasised respect for all languages. The session concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony marking Quaid-i-Azam’s birth anniversary and Christmas, followed by a discussion on Jinnah and present-day Pakistan.