KARACHI: Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, organized a significant press conference at Haseena Moin Hall to discuss the four-day 17th Aalmi Urdu Conference 2024 –Jashan-e-Karachi. President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah, renowned intellectual and humorist Anwar Maqsood, eminent poet Iftikhar Arif, writer Noor-ul-Huda Shah, and Ejaz Farooqi briefed the media. This year’s Aalmi Urdu Conference will celebrate “Jashan-e-Karachi” and commence on December 5, 2024, continuing until December 8. Considering the growing interest, the opening session will be held at the YMCA Ground.
The conference will feature more than 60 sessions, and a cake-cutting ceremony will mark the 70th anniversary of Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi. Speaking at the press conference, President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah praised Iftikhar Arif and Anwar Maqsood for their significant contributions to the Urdu language. He criticized the Indian government under Narendra Modi, labeling it as an agent of hatred, but emphasized the love shared between the peoples of India and Pakistan.
“We want to maintain our existence as a state. I will exercise patience and communicate with Javed Siddiqui and Gulzar Sahib through the media,” he said, noting that writers from India have also been invited to the conference. Shah remarked that Aalmi Urdu Conference positively paved the way for other festivals and conferences. He noted that although Lahore has been a hub for Urdu for over 300 years, the city’s residents do not speak it as their mother tongue. He commended Punjab for its unparalleled contributions to Urdu, surpassing all others. Shah emphasized the need to carry all languages forward together, pointing out that Indians also speaks in Urdu accent and they called it Hindi. He credited singers for popularizing the language globally, highlighting legends like Mehdi Hassan, who elevated Urdu ghazals, and artists like Iqbal Bano and Fareeda Khanum, who introduced audiences to Ghalib’s ghazals in a sung format. He expressed concern about the youth drifting away from their languages and cultures due to Urdu not being an official language. He noted that Employment is often reserved for those who are proficient in English.
Shah stressed that every language is a vessel of its culture, stating that the Aalmi Urdu Conference is a national cultural conference, uniting diverse linguistic communities despite attempts by internal and external enemies to divide them. Muhammad Ahmed Shah said that we have brought all languages together under one roof because anyone who is an enemy of culture is an enemy of the country,” Reflecting on the early days of the Aalmi Urdu Conference, he recalled a poignant moment: “When the conference began, Iftikhar Arif presided over a poetry session while forty dead bodies lays in the city. We continued the mushaira with the lights turned off, despite the lack of security at the time.”
Shah emphasized how the Arts Council has worked to transform Karachi’s image. “In the same city that was once maligned, we welcomed 30,000 people and international guests during the closing ceremony of the World Culture Festival Karachi. We proved that Karachi is a hub of hospitality and resilience.” He noted that while the city hasn’t fully recaptured the cultural vibrancy of the 1950s and 60s, significant progress has been made in overcoming hatred. “Back then, Karachi had 55 to 60 cinemas; now, the population has multiplied, yet cinemas have dwindled.
Bookstores are in disrepair,” he lamented. Shah paid tribute to literary greats like Mushtaq Ahmad Yusufi, Aslam Farrukhi, and Habib Jalib, emphasizing the council’s commitment to honoring them: “We have served these legends, even metaphorically straightening their shoes, and we continue to do so.” He concluded by stressing the importance of the Aalmi Urdu Conference as a means of preserving and continuing the cultural heritage of the region.
“This conference is a testament to our commitment to cultural continuity and the promotion of Urdu.” At the 17th Aalmi Urdu Conference – Jashan-e-Karachi, discussions will cover Karachi’s rich history, its painters, musicians, singers, literary figures, poets of nazam and ghazal, critics, fiction writers, iconic tea houses, gardens, cinemas, and other prominent personalities and landmarks. President Ahmed Shah shared that over 10,000 young participants have registered for the conference. Shah expressed gratitude to the media for helping promote Pakistani literature worldwide.
Renowned humorist Anwar Maqsood remarked that Urdu is a versatile language, and many artists have been invited to the conference. The objective is for them to learn and refine their pronunciation. He praised Ahmed Shah. He said that he hasn’t slept properly for six months. Only Ahmed Shah can organize such successful events.”
Following the success of the World Culture Festival, Shah is now steering the Awami Theatre Festival and Aalmi Urdu Conference with the same dedication. The event will include two poetry sessions, and despite the country’s challenges, the conference is bound to succeed. Maqsood criticized those who question the conference’s organization, labeling them as envious of its success. Prominent poet Iftikhar Arif highlighted that globally, the number of writers is dwindling as people prioritize earning money over creative pursuits. He stressed the importance of art and culture for fostering a civilized society, describing the Arts Council as unparalleled in its scale of work. He said that this city was once famous for its negative trends, but Arts Council’s initiatives have transformed its narrative.
This Urdu Conference is unique as every edition differs from the last.” Iftikhar Arif emphasized unity, stating, “In Pakistan, 76 languages are spoken. A person who loves their mother tongue cannot hate another’s language. We must reduce hypocrisy and envy. Whether I identify as Sindhi or Urdu-speaking, it doesn’t diminish my Pakistani identity.” Iftikhar Arif noted that while online book sales are limited, festivals attract significant book buyers.
Arts Council, despite being based in Karachi, has earned recognition across the globe. He congratulated Ahmed Shah and his team for their outstanding efforts. Writer and Joint Secretary Arts Council, Noor-ul-Huda Shah, praised Ahmed Shah for consistently organizing the Urdu Conference, calling it a commendable achievement. She stated that we often find ourselves at odds with society.
Literature and art serve as the cure for our hearts, and Ahmed Shah has sustained this remedy through Arts Council.” When asked about the significant presence of artists this year, Noor-ul-Huda Shah explained that the quality of dialogue in dramas and films has deteriorated, severing the link between literature and art. This conference will address that gap.” She emphasized Karachi’s cultural importance as the heart of Sindh, crediting Ahmed Shah for keeping the arts alive in the city.
The opening day will feature a session titled “Main Hoon Karachi – Anwar Maqsood”, with participants including Tabish Hashmi and Waseem Badami. On the second day of the 17th Aalmi Urdu Conference – Jashan-e-Karachi will begin with a session on Urdu Nazam m Karachi ka Hisa followed by discussions on various themes such as Taqdeesi Adab ke Roshan Chiragh, Duniya Badalti Khawateen, Kitabon ki Ronumai, KMC 1843 se 2024 tak, Bachon ka Adab, Arifa Sayeda Zehra ke Saath, Saraiki Saqafat o Adab, Governance for People’s Empowerment, Nai Nasal ki Numainda Awazen: Umair Najmi, Imran Aami, Javed Siddiqui ke Khako ka Majmua “Mere Muhtaram”, Pakistani Media, Bain-ul-Aqwami Media ke Tanazur Mein, Karachi: Kal aur Aaj, Pakhtoon Saqafat o Adab, Dear Karachi – A City story told through Letters, Main Hoon Karachi – Asim Azhar, Humayun Saeed, Mahira Khan concluding with a mushaira.
The third day will feature a diverse range of sessions, including Asloob-e-Ghazal, Urdu Tanqeed, Yorkshire Adabi Forum, Abadi ki Naqis Mansoobabandi, Pakistan ke liy Khatra, Japan: Urdu ki Zarkhaiz Sarzameen, Yaad-e-Raftagaan, Maholiyat aur Global Warming, Urdu ki Nai Bastiyan, Balochi Saqafat o Adab, Pakistan aur Turkey ke Saqafati o Tijarati Rishte, Karachi ke Namwar Musawir, Woh Kahin Aur Suna Kare Koi, Punjabi Adab o Saqafat, Main Hoon Karachi – Legend Nadeem Baig, Munawar Saeed, Mustafa Qureshi ke Saath, Mustansar Hussain Tarar se Mulaqat, Arz Kiya Hai: Yousuf Bashir Qureshi, Theatre, Radio, TV aur Film ki Kahani, Pakistan mein Media ki Tareekh, Taqreeb-e-Ronumai: Dastan-e-Lucknow aur Dabistan-e-Lucknow, Salman Gilani ke Saath, Main Hoon Karachi – Session on Living Legend Shahid Afridi. The day will conclude with a mushaira. The final day will feature sessions on Urdu Fiction, Taraqqi Pasand Tehreek aur Karachi, Vilayati Baithak, Pakistan aur Muttahida Arab Imarat ki Dosti, Urdu Farsi ke Rang, Maeeshat ki Sheh Rag: Karachi, Karachi ke Mazah Nigaar: Parhant Nusrat Ali, Nazar-ul-Hasan, Artificial Intelligence & Digital Humanities, Taleem ki Soorat-e-Haal, Sindhi Zaban o Adab, Nai Nasal ki Numainda Awazen: Ali Zaryoon, Fareeha Naqvi, Shehr Nama, Hum Adab ka Nobel Inaam Jeet Sakte Hain, Main Hoon Karachi Bushra Ansari, Fahad Mustafa sessions will include and Aalmi Urdu conference concludes by closing ceremony and Qawwali of Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad Qawal.
