LAHORE: Three-day literary conference ‘Afkaar-i-Taaza’ will start from April 1 at the Alhamra Cultural Complex, Qadhafi Stadium, under the aegis of the Centre for Governance and Policy of the Information Technology University (ITU).

In a press release, ITU Vice Chancellor Dr Umar Saif said: “This programme exhibits our commitment to the intellectual revival of Pakistan. By bringing world-renowned scholars to Pakistan, we are giving our people an opportunity to interact with these great minds, in a rigorous yet accessible format”.

Dr Yaqoob Bangash, the director of the Centre for Governance and Policy, said the conference would feature discussions on serious academic work but they would be made easier for the general public.

The sessions will include the Idea of Politics in Modern Muslim Thought, Does Saarc have a future, Wither the Writ of the State, Afghanistan: A Moribund State, and One Belt, One Road Initiative.

The event will also focus on academic literary themes such as ‘Rudyard Kipling: A Teenager in Lahore, From Punjab to Provence, Muslim Kings, Hindu Temples, Sports as Politics, as well as panels on Punjabi, organised by renowned scholar Mushtaq Soofi and an Urdu Mushaira featuring Akhtar Shumaar and Inamul Haq Javed.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2016