Government officials and literary figures have urged the country’s youth to embrace the principles of peace and tolerance, and to use a colourful cultural festival as a platform to tackle grave social challenges such as hatred, prejudice, and injustice.
A multifaceted event, titled “Khairpur Eid Youth Festival,” was held on Wednesday at the Khairpur Physiotherapy Nursing College, organized by the Shaoor Adabi Forum and the Ajrak Art and Cultural Youth Organization in collaboration with the Department of Youth Affairs. The event included a musical programme, a mushaira, a comedy session, and an intellectual session.
Secretary of Sports and Youth Affairs, Munawar Ali Mahesar, addressing the audience, stated that consciousness, love, and humanity are the true essence of life. He said, “Sindh is the land of Sufi saints, where peace, brotherhood, and tolerance have always been taught, so we too must follow these principles to better our society.” He emphasized that youth are the future and, with the right opportunities and guidance, they can change the country’s destiny.
He praised the festival for its blend of art and intellect, calling it proof of the youth’s deep connection to their culture. He urged the younger generation to use their time wisely and actively promote unity while avoiding social evils.
On the occasion, Director of Anti-Corruption Sindh, Haq Nawaz Shar, said that such cultural events are crucial for the mental and moral training of the youth. “It is the responsibility of all of us to eliminate injustice and evil from our society, and a better society can be formed if the youth adopt honesty and truth,” he said.
Additional Secretary Riaz Wassan praised the organizers for providing a source of joy for the people of Khairpur amidst a “suffocating and burdensome atmosphere” and deemed the initiative commendable.
Highlighting the literary significance of the gathering, renowned poet Dr. Mushtaq Phal described literature as “a consciousness and a mirror in which society can see its reflection.” Similarly, poet Kausar Buriro encouraged young poets to create about their land and culture, stating that literature is a powerful tool for raising social awareness.
Educational and health perspectives were also presented. DEO Education Ayaz Ali Mahesar spoke on the deep connection between literature, culture, and education in strengthening the personalities of the youth. PMA leader Dr. Muhammad Khan Shar stressed the importance of both mental and physical health, saying that participation in positive, literary activities builds self-confidence and keeps youth away from negative tendencies.
The event’s organizer, Sagar Saifullah Shar, affirmed that the program was arranged to enhance the joys of Eid and expressed a commitment to holding more such events to promote academic and literary activities in Khairpur.
The festival included a magnificent mushaira, where poets including Kausar Buriro, Murtaza Phal, and Sajid Jamali, among others, presented their work and received great applause. Comedians Amjad Gul Soomro, Kheru Buriro, and Mir Sabdar Saeed entertained the audience with comedy skits.
The evening concluded with a musical concert, where renowned Sindhi artists Shazia Marvi, Sarvech Sindhi, Rukhsana Soorath, and Shabana Koel performed and electrified the gathering.
A large number of citizens, academics, poets, writers, and journalists attended the festival. The event was moderated by Sagar Saifullah Shar, Zameer Lashari, and Shiraz Shah.