ISLAMABAD: A theatre titled ‘Climate Change in Mother languages’ took centre stage in the evening of the second day of Mother Languages Literature Festival 2026 on Saturday, alongside vibrant literary discussions, book launches, and a multilingual mushaira.

Organised by Indus Cultural Forum at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), a total of 10 books written in different Pakistani languages were launched. The authors, representing Sindhi, Seraiki, Urdu, Hindko, Pahari and Balochi, spoke about their works and shared their creative journeys.

One of the highlight’s on the evening sessions was a local theatre group using the stage at the mother languages festival to highlight everyday actions that contributed to climate change and how simple behavioural changes could make a difference.

Safeerullah Khan, who directed the play and represented the group Theatre Wale, said the troupe had been performing socially conscious literary theatre for nearly two decades. For the festival, organisers asked the group to prepare a short performance focusing on environmental challenges, prompting them to develop a 30-minute play centred on climate awareness.

The production explored the role of ordinary citizens in worsening and potentially mitigating environmental damage. Through humour and dialogue, the performers showed how routine practices such as wasting water, excessive energy use, improper garbage disposal and cutting trees contributed to the broader climate crisis. The play also illustrated how climate change ultimately affected everyday life.

Although primarily performed in Urdu, the script incorporated multiple mother tongues to reflect cultural diversity. Characters representing different linguistic backgrounds were used to convey that environmental responsibility transcended language and geography. According to the group, the aim was not only to explain the impacts of climate change but also to encourage practical solutions.

The narrative emphasised small, individual actions such as conserving water and electricity, improving waste habits and protecting trees as meaningful steps toward reducing environmental harm.

The day concluded with a multilingual mushaira in which poets from various mother languages recited their poetry. The event provided a valuable opportunity for the younger generation to listen to and learn about the richness of regional and endangered literary traditions.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2026