Second Day of 18th Aalmi Urdu Conference 2025 Showcases 17 Sessions, International Mushaira

By: Aziz Khatri

 Karachi: The second day of the four-day 18th Aalmi Urdu Conference 2025 – Jashan-e-Pakistan, organized by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, featured a rich intellectual and cultural program comprising 17 sessions on literature, arts, culture, media, and society, along with a grand Aalmi Mushaira that drew an enthusiastic audience.

Proceedings on the second day commenced with a scholarly session on “Urdu Tanqeed wa Tehqeeq.” Other notable sessions included discussions on Urdu Nazm, Taqdeesi Adab, Siraiki Adab wa Saqafat, Anwar Sen Roy: Shakhsiyat wa Takleeqat, Hilal Naqvi aur Marsiya Nigari, “Hum Dekhenge – Faiz Ahmed Faiz,” Khawatein: Taraqi, Qiyadat aur Adab ka Safar, Bacho ka Adab, Future Leaders in the Digital Era, Sindhi Adab and Saqafat, Kitabon ki Ronomai, Urdu ka Shahkar Mizah, TV ka Safar, and The Role of Traditional Media in the Digital Age. A large number of participants also attended the special interactive session “Bushra Ansari se Mulaqat.” Eight books were launched during the day, adding to the literary significance of the event.

During the session “The Role of Traditional Media in the Digital Age,” speakers Ghazi Salahuddin, Wusatullah Khan, Owais Tohid, Riffat Saeed, and Waseem Badami observed that traditional media was once considered modern media itself. They noted that digital platforms have enabled many women to successfully run businesses, while cautioning that digital media is not entirely free, as content can be removed without notice. The speakers emphasized that every new medium reshapes the world, journalism relies fundamentally on the strength of language, and artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in newsrooms. They stressed the need to adopt the digital media revolution positively, while highlighting that issues such as Balochistan, canal disputes, and the suffering of the Palestinian people have gained global attention through social media. The panellists agreed that instead of outright criticism, both the positive and negative aspects of social media must be scrutinized, warning that nearly 85 percent of digital content is based on misinformation.

In the session “Future Leaders in the Digital Era,” speakers remarked that video-on-demand platforms, particularly YouTube, have transformed content creation and distribution. While artificial intelligence can generate images, they said, it cannot comprehend human emotions. Storytelling today, they observed, reflects audience preferences, and wars that were once fought on battlefields are now fought on screens. The digital era was described as a powerful symbol of democracy and a valuable opportunity for emerging artists who lack access to mainstream platforms.

The session “Khawatein: Taraqi, Qiyadat aur Adab ka Safar,” held to pay tribute to prominent women in Pakistan’s history, featured reflections by Uzma-ul-Kareem on the contributions of Benazir Bhutto, Fatima Jinnah, and other trailblazing women, noting that today’s freedom of expression is rooted in their sacrifices. Mehtab Akbar Rashdi remarked that many men feel uneasy when women demonstrate greater intelligence and capability. Bee Gul spoke about women being disconnected from their roots and frequently criticized even for their attire, while Harris Khalique noted that Fatima Jinnah was among the earliest voices to openly oppose dictatorship.

A vibrant and engaging session titled “Bushra Ansari se Mulaqat” featured renowned actor Bushra Ansari in conversation with Yasir Hussain. She observed that people today are reluctant to engage in deep conversations and said that directing demands a level of strictness she feels she lacks. Expressing her admiration for Madam Noor Jehan, she recalled that the late Zia Mohyeddin often encouraged her to sing, though she felt nervous at the time. She also lamented that despite possessing a rich musical archive, PTV failed to utilize it effectively. Responding to audience demand, Bushra Ansari sang several Urdu and Punjabi songs, including melodies by Madam Noor Jehan, to warm applause.

The second day concluded with a grand Aalmi Mushaira, presided over by Peerzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui. Distinguished poets including Anwar Shaoor, Firasat Rizvi, Shadab Ehsani, Asghar Nadeem Syed, Mir Ahmed Naveed, Rehana Roohi, Fazil Jameeli, Ali Zaryoun, Alauddin Khanzada, Kashif Hussain Ghair, Khalilullah Farooqi, Waheed Noor, Ghazal Ansari, Farzana Naina, Rehana Qamar, Saman Shah, Najma Usman, Bina Govindani, Khalid Moeen, Kamran Nafees, Umair Najmi, Uzma Jaun, Rahat Zahid, Shaista Mufti, Sabeen Saif, Hidayat Sair, Hina Ambreen, Neena Adil, Naeem Sameer, and Abdul Rehman Momin presented their poetry. The mushaira was skillfully moderated by Shakeel Khan.

Held at the Jaun Elia Lawn, the Aalmi Mushaira attracted a large audience, who enthusiastically applauded and appreciated the poetic performances, marking the second day of the conference as a vibrant celebration of Urdu literature and culture.