Lahore 2023

The 6th Afkar-e-Taza ThinkFest took place in Lahore on January 14–15, 2023, drawing more than 16,000 people for two days of reflection and debate as Pakistan marked 75 years of independence. The festival’s themes were symbolised in its poster—history, culture, climate, and the loss of East Bengal—and these threads ran through the sessions. Plenary talks featured acclaimed author Mohsin Hamid in conversation with Dr Waseem on his literary journey, and former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail in a frank discussion with Dr S. Akbar Zaidi on Pakistan’s economic challenges. EU Ambassador Dr Riina Kionka and Vice Chancellor Asghar Zaidi also addressed the audience, underscoring the international and academic support behind the event.

A record 18 book launches underlined the festival’s intellectual vibrancy, from Shahbaz Taseer’s account of Taliban captivity and Bette Dam’s study of Mullah Omar, to major works by Manan Ahmed, Adeel Hussain, and Ishtiaq Ahmed on South Asian history and politics. Panels tackled urgent issues such as climate change, business and development, national security with Dr Moeed Yusuf, and the challenges of disinformation and journalism with leading Pakistani journalists. Political debates included the provocative Are Politicians the Real Problem of Pakistan? with Malik Ahmed Khan, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, and Miftah Ismail. With a rich blend of history, literature, politics, and pressing contemporary issues, ThinkFest 2023 reaffirmed its role as a vital forum for thought, dialogue, and solutions at a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s history.