The 9th Adab Festival Pakistan, hosted by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) in collaboration with Lightstone Publishers,celebrated the transformative power of literature in building a harmonious society

The 9th Adab Festival Pakistan, hosted by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) in collaboration with Lightstone Publishers,celebrated the transformative power of literature in building a harmonious society. The event featured engaging sessions on diverse topics, bringing together renowned authors, scholars, and cultural enthusiasts. In his opening remarks, DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood underscored the significance of literature in fostering creativity and cultural pluralism. He lauded the festival as a platform for intellectual exchange and reaffirmed ISSI's commitment to promoting Pakistan’s soft power through arts and literature. The first session, titled "Jinnah’s Vision for Pakistan – A Call for Action," featured Barrister Yasser Latif Hamdani, who clarified Quaid-e-Azam’s vision for a progressive Pakistan based on equality, justice, and tolerance, countering misconceptions of theocratic ambitions. In the second session, "Leadership and Legacy," Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, Zahid Hussain, and Arifa Noor explored lessons from history, unlearned opportunities, and the evolution of political leadership. They emphasized the importance of balanced journalism and the need to engage youth in understanding Pakistan’s challenges and achievements. The third session, "Reimagining Education: New Frontiers and Opportunities," focused on critical reforms needed in the education sector. Experts highlighted the importance of incorporating Education 5.0 technologies like AI, addressing systemic issues, and creating community schools to bring millions of out-of-school children back into the education system. The session "Her Story, Her Voice: Celebrating Women’s Empowerment" explored women’s achievements and activism in Pakistan. Dr. Fouzia Saeed and other panelists discussed progress in political awakening, social welfare, and strategic activism, calling for continued collaboration to address challenges. The festival also delved into Pakistan’s strategic position in the session "Pakistan and the Changing Global Scenario." Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and other experts discussed the evolving global dynamics, emphasizing strong ties with China, recalibrating relationships with the U.S., and internal reforms to strengthen Pakistan’s global standing. In the session on "Indus Valley, Mysticism, Folk Traditions," panelists reflected on Pakistan’s cultural and spiritual heritage. Discussions highlighted the interconnectedness of humanity, nature, and folk traditions, with mysticism seen as a pathway to universal compassion and self-awareness. The festival concluded with a discussion on Dr. Sania Nishtar’s book, Delivering Welfare at Scale: Ehsaas 2047. Dr. Nishtar outlined the transformative potential of the Ehsaas program, addressing education, health, and poverty alleviation while highlighting challenges such as political patronage and resistance to digital reforms.