The 39th annual five-day Lahore International Book Fair at Expo Centre Johar Town, held from 4 to 8 February, featured a memorable mushaira organized by the National Book Foundation that brought lovers of Urdu poetry and literature together under one roof. The mushaira, held on the fourth day of the Lahore Book Fair, carried the evocative title “Is se Rah-e-Sukhan Nikalti Hai” and celebrated the enduring tradition of poetry in Pakistani literary life.
Ghulam Hussain Sajid presided over the event while noted poet and literary figure Saud Usmani joined as the guest of honor. Managing Director of the National Book Foundation Dr Kamran Jahangir opened the session with remarks on the importance of literature, the role of mushairas in cultural life, and the foundation’s ongoing efforts to promote reading and book culture across Pakistan. His comments emphasized how the Lahore Book Fair serves as a vital platform for connecting readers, writers, and publishers.
Renowned poets including Wajid Amir, Hameeda Shaheen, Irfan Sadiq, Manzar Ijaz, Anbarin Salahuddin, Shahid Ashraf and Saleem Akhtar read moving and creative verses that resonated strongly with the audience. The poets’ performances were met with enthusiastic applause and heartfelt appreciation, illustrating the continued public enthusiasm for Urdu poetry at the Lahore Book Fair.
Naveed Sadiq skillfully anchored the proceedings as the mushaira’s compere, maintaining a warm rapport between the poets and attendees. At the close of the evening, the presiding poet and the guest of honor praised the National Book Foundation’s literary initiatives and their contribution to nurturing a reading culture. Under Dr Kamran Jahangir’s leadership, the foundation’s efforts to keep literary traditions alive and to engage younger generations with books were singled out for special recognition.
The mushaira not only enriched the Lahore Book Fair programme but also underscored the National Book Foundation’s role in sustaining literary tradition and promoting book culture in Pakistan. To mark the occasion, Dr Kamran Jahangir presented books to the participating poets as tokens of appreciation for their contributions to the event and to Urdu literature.
