Karachi 2018

The first Afkar-e-Taza ThinkFest Karachi was held on December 8, 2018, in collaboration with IBA, marking an important milestone as the festival expanded beyond Lahore. Bringing together dozens of world-class academics, writers, and commentators, it offered a packed day of thought, discussion, and debate, adding its own distinct intellectual character to Karachi’s vibrant cultural scene. The day began with a powerful keynote by acclaimed novelist Hanif Kureishi, who reflected on freedom of expression and dialogue, using his literary lens to examine global challenges and societal pitfalls.

The programme reflected Karachi’s cosmopolitan spirit, with a strong emphasis on international affairs. Ambassador Ashraf Jahangir Qazi, Zahid Husain, and Imtiaz Gul explored Pakistan’s fraught relationship with Afghanistan and the fissures within Afghan society, a particularly resonant discussion in the world’s largest Afghan city. Columbia University’s Professor Joseph Massad held audiences spellbound with his analysis of the stalled Middle East peace process, while Professor Gholam Vahed shed light on Gandhi’s South African years and their l asting implications for modern India. History and ideas also featured prominently, with Columbia’s Professor Anupama Rao contrasting Ambedkar’s vision for Pakistan with that of Iqbal, Dr Anand Taneja offering insights into spirits and folklore in medieval Delhi, and Lucy Inglis presenting her sweeping history of opium and its transformative impact on South Asia.