The fifth edition of the Multan Literary Festival, a two-day event celebrating the diversity and richness of literature and culture, concluded on Sunday

The literary festival, organized by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi in collaboration with the Multan Arts Council, attracted a large number of attendees from various walks of life. The fifth edition of the Multan Literary Festival, a two-day event celebrating the diversity and richness of literature and culture, concluded on Sunday

The festival also provided a platform for engaging discussions on a range of topics, including the popularity of young poets and the history and civilization of Pakistan.

A highlight of the last day was a musical concert featuring performances by acclaimed artists such as Sain Zahoor, Wahab Bugti, ACMA the Band, Gizri, Sounds of Kolachi, and Mustafa Baloch, which captivated the audience and underscored the enduring appeal of music in Pakistani culture.

In his closing remarks, Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi President Muhammad Ahmed Shah emphasized the importance of preservation and promotion of culture. He urged the youth to take their culture seriously and highlighted the role of intellectuals in promoting the culture of different nationalities residing in Pakistan.

Despite the political turmoil, Mr Shah commended the organisation of the litfest, which saw the participation of prominent intellectuals and poets, including Seraiki poet Shakir Shujabadi. He underscored the transformative power of literature, philosophy, science and art in shaping civilisations and stressed the need for Pakistan to prioritise these areas.

Mr Shah also highlighted the enduring influence of Sufis like Shah Latif, Data Ganj Bakhsh, Bahauddin Zakariya, Shah Farid, Baba Farid, Khawja Ghulam Farid, Bulleh Shah, Shah Hussain, Waris Shah and Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, whose teachings continue to resonate globally.