Writers, poets, and scholars from Pakistan, the United States, and Canada gathered in the Houston area for the third Pakistan Literature Festival, according to Geo News. The two-day event, held on October 31 and November 1, brought together literary figures and artists to discuss Urdu literature, Pakistani culture, journalism, cinema, and social challenges in a rapidly digitising world, Geo News reported.
According to Geo News, the festival was organised by the International Academy of Letters USA and concluded in Sugar Land and Stafford, Texas. Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, addressed the gathering through a video message due to official commitments, while Pakistan's Consul General in Houston, Aftab Chaudhry, and Canadian parliamentarian Sameer Zuberi also spoke at the event, which was welcomed by International Academy of Letters USA President Ghazanfar Hashmi.
Geo News reported that the opening day at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre in Sugar Land featured panels on women's voices in Urdu literature, leadership across generations, mental health, and the history of Pakistani cinema and television drama. The day concluded with a cultural programme featuring Sufi music performances.
The programme continued on November 1 at the Tuscany Ballroom at the Spark by Hilton in Stafford, where sessions focused on the poetry of Allama Iqbal, journalistic responsibilities in the Pakistani media, and challenges and opportunities in reimagining Pakistan's future, according to Geo News.
Background
The third Pakistan Literature Festival marks an ongoing effort by the International Academy of Letters USA to connect diaspora communities and international scholars with contemporary discussions surrounding Pakistani arts, culture, and social issues, as reported by Geo News. The event brought together notable academics, journalists, artists, and political figures from multiple countries to examine cultural identity, media ethics, and literary heritage.
Why it matters
For readers in Pakistan and abroad, gatherings of this scale highlight the global reach of Urdu literature, Pakistani cinema, and cultural discourse. The discussions on media responsibility, youth identity, and mental health touch upon vital contemporary themes shared by communities both within Pakistan and across the international diaspora.