38th Annual Urdu Haiku Mushaira Held in Karachi

 By: Aziz Khatri

 KARACHI: The Pakistan Japan Cultural Association (PJCA) Sindh, under the auspices of the Consulate General of Japan in Karachi and in collaboration with the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, organized the 38th Annual Urdu Haiku Mushaira on Saturday evening, January 31, 2026. The literary event was held at Haseena Moin Hall, Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, and attracted poets and literary enthusiasts from across the city.

The Mushaira was coordinated by Ms. Wazahat Naseem and presided over by renowned literary figure Mr. Firasat Rizvi, while the Honourable Consul General of Japan in Karachi graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

The proceedings commenced with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by Mr. Saleem Ahmed, General Secretary of PJCA Sindh. This was followed by a welcome address by Mr. Azmat Ataka, First Vice President of PJCA Sindh. In his address, Mr. Ataka expressed gratitude to the Honourable Consul General of Japan for his continued patronage of cultural and literary activities. He also thanked Mr. Muhammad Ahmed Shah, President of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, for his consistent cooperation and support in organizing PJCA events.

Mr. Ataka further acknowledged the valuable contribution of Ms. Sadia Rashid, President of Hamdard Group, for providing gift hampers to all participating poets, appreciating Hamdard Group’s role in ensuring the success of the Mushaira. He also thanked Mr. Firasat Rizvi for presiding over the literary gathering.

In addition to the President of the Mushaira, Mr. Firasat Rizvi, a total of twenty-one poets presented their haiku. The participating poets, in alphabetical order, included Dr. Abda Ghanghro, Afzal Hazarvi, Hameeda Kashish, Dr. Jamal Naqvi, Kazunori Matsuda, Khalida Uzma, Naseem Nazish, Rubina Tahseen Bina, Dr. Saeed Ahmed Saadi, Sarwar Shamal, Seher Ali, Shah Fahad, Shahabuddin Shahab, Shahida Israr, Shahzad Niaz, Shair Ali Shair, Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui, Syed Meraj Jami, Wazahat Naseem, Yasmeen Yas, and Zahid Hussain Zahid Jauhri.

At the conclusion of the Mushaira, Mr. Firasat Rizvi delivered his presidential address and presented his haiku, which were well received by the audience.

The event was attended by a large number of poets, writers, and admirers of Urdu haiku, who praised the Mushaira for its smooth organization and rich literary content, reaffirming its importance as a significant annual literary tradition.