The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi (ACP) on Thursday afternoon brought together many prominent writers and intellectuals in order to respond to India's war madness on the intellectual front.
A press conference was held at Haseena Moin Hall of the ACP, in which prominent intellectuals, writers and artists voiced their concerns and called for peace in the region. ACP President Mohammad Ahmed Shah stated that the Pakistanis were peace-loving people who were not fond of wars, but they would never tolerate naked aggression. “We will defend our country with full force,” he asserted.
Referring to the recent cowardly attack by India on May 7, Shah said that over 30 lives were lost, but the Pakistani armed forces responded effectively, surprising India with Pakistan’s strength and unity. “India misjudged us as weak, but Pakistan is a powerful and resilient nation,” he said.
The ACP president also criticised the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and attacks on mosques, calling them acts worse than tyranny. He said the Modi government was responsible for the region’s rising tensions, noting its record of communal violence and misleading narratives. “Writers and artists from Pakistan have always promoted peace. We urge Indian intellectuals to raise their voices too—it is a moment of reflection for them.”
Renowned humourist Anwar Maqsood said that in difficult situations, it became clear why the army was necessary. “Today, 250 million people have become soldiers. I do not have weapons, but I have the power of the pen,” he said, adding that he respected his flag the way Indians respected theirs.
He said that starting a war was easy, but ending it was difficult. “We shot down five planes, but there is little joy in it as there is regret over the loss of innocent children,” he remarked.
Commenting on the warmongering Indian media, Maqsood said the Indian media could never change. “Times have changed, no one wants war. We all want the country to progress,” he stated.
Poet Iftikhar Arif joined the event via video link and condemned the loss of human lives. Referring to the recent incident in Pahalgam, he called for an independent investigation, lamenting how India hastily blamed Pakistan for it without evidence.
“We cannot compromise our sovereignty,” he asserted, calling on the international community to take meaningful steps for peace instead of issuing mere statements. “Writers and artists from both sides do not want war. However, defending our homeland is our right,” Arif maintained.
Actor and ACP Vice President Munawar Saeed emphasised that war was not a solution. “Modi knows this too, but he is compelled to escalate tensions for political reasons. When war is imposed on you, you have to respond. The response from our Air Force was commendable, but it is heartbreaking to see unarmed civilians suffer on both sides,” he said.
Writer and ACP Joint Secretary Noorul Huda Shah criticised the Indian media for spreading war propaganda. “They seem to forget their own children sleep at home. Both countries are nuclear powers—we must avoid disaster. Artists, writers and intellectuals are messengers of peace. How can you advocate war?” she asked. “If attacked, Pakistan will respond. Blocking the Indus River is meaningless—you cannot stop nature's flow.”
Poet and academic Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui echoed the sentiment calling for peaceful relations with neighbouring countries. “We must build a knowledge-based society, not promote conflict,” he said, criticising extremist mindsets and Modi’s aggressive policies. “This thinking is dangerous for India itself. Our youth are ready to defend their nation at all levels, but our preference remains peace.”
The event was attended by several prominent literary and cultural figures, including ACP Secretary Ejaz Farooqi, poets Anwar Shaoor and Fatima Hassan, Huma Mir, Shahid Rassam, Farrukh Shahab, Asjad Bukhari, Shakeel Khan, Tanveer Anjum, and Afzal Ahmed Syed.