All set for 8th International Urdu Conference

Karachi
The 8th International Urdu Conference is scheduled to begin at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, on December 8, with around 200 scholars, writers, poets and intellectuals from around the world and from within the country expected to attend the three-day event.
Started in 2008 by the Art Council, the Urdu conference is a regular annual feature which is eagerly awaited by literary enthusiasts and cultural figures.
In a relatively less crowded pre-event inaugural session, in terms of the participation of print and electronic media representatives who were busy due to the arrival of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf leader Imran Khan in the city, Arts Council Secretary Ahmed Shah highlighted various aspects of the conference.
“The conference has come a long way since its first year, when the city was devoid of any such activities and people were under the grip of fear and uncertainty. With the grace of God, the situation has entirely changed now and people eagerly wait for this conference which is hosted by Karachi Arts Council,” he said.
“The basic purpose of the conference is to promote Urdu literature in the country and also provide a platform to the literary figures from around the world to exchange views and share experiences. Writers and scholars from countries like India, Bangladesh, USA, England, Norway, Denmark and Finland are coming this year to grace the occasion.”
Like before, papers on Urdu language will be presented in this conference too. Besides, Urdu theatre, eastern music and painting sessions have also been included in this conference. The conference will touch upon topics like challenges faced by Urdu language, Urdu syllabus, the relationship of Urdu language with other languages of Pakistan, Naats written in Urdu, special sessions of Zia Mohiyuddin and Anwar Maqsood, and sessions on Pakistani media, theatre and film.
Moreover, the moot will also discuss ways to restore peace to the region in light of the suggestions given by these scholars and intellectuals.
Like in the previous year, this year, too, an Alami Mushaira will be held in the conference. Others who were present on this occasion were Vice President Arts Council Prof Sehar Ansari, Treasure Shehnaz Sidfdiqui and Chairperson Adabi Committee Haseena Moin.
Sharing further details of the conference, Ahmed Shah said: “From India, Dr Shamim Hanafi, Dr Abul Kalam Qasmi, Dr Anees Ashfaq, Khushbeer Singh Shaad, Ranjeet Singh Chohan, Farooq Syed and Farhat Ahsaas are coming, while from the UK, Raza Ali Abidi, Najma Usman, Naeem Haider and Ghazal Ansari, and from the USA, Dr Azra Raza are coming. Similarly, Mahmoodus Salam from Bangladesh, Syed Mujahid Hussain from Norway, Arshad Farooqui from Finland, Nasar Malik from Denmark and other names are included from other countries. Visa processing for the Indian delegates has already been done, and they will reach Karachi on December 7.”
Similarly, veteran writers, scholars and poets from around Pakistan, including names like Intizar Hussain, Amjad Islam Amjad, Asghar Nadeem Syed, Anwar Maqsood, Masood Ashar, Mustansar Hussain Tarar, Dr Inamul Haq Javed, Kishwar Naheed, Haris Khalique, Dr Qasim Baghiyo and Dr Anwar Ahmed, will come with their worthy contributions to the field of Urdu literature.
Prominent writer Haseena Moin, speaking on the occasion, said: “Such events are a must to bring back the youth towards Urdu literature and healthy entertainment. These youth have drifted from this field due to the influence of information and communication technologies like mobiles, laptops, tabs etc.” She also announced the launch of “Adami Jareeda” of the Arts Council soon, which was a little delayed due to some serious issues confronting the council.
Sehar Ansari, sharing his experience of a visit to Norway and Canada, said that it was imperative that the image which the overseas Pakistanis held of Pakistan, especially of Karachi as a city of terrorism, needed to be changed and such events could play a greater role in this connection.