PESHAWAR: The provincial metropolis came alive as the third season of the Peshawar Literature Festival (PLF) began at Nishtar Hall here on Monday.

The first day opened with engaging sessions, with one dedicated to children featuring multiple activities. The event was arranged under the auspices of the Directorate of Youth Affairs in collaboration with the Culture, Literature, and Development Organisation (CLADO).

The inaugural panel, titled ‘Youth, Women and the Future of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’, brought together four compelling voices from civil society, government, and development sectors to examine one of the most urgent questions facing the region today. Panel discussions, open mic activity, and entrepreneurs stole the show of the first day’s events.

Each panellist brought a distinct perspective shaped by different experiences, yet united by a deep concern for the province’s trajectory.

Zubair Khattak highlighted the government’s initiatives aimed at tapping into the youth bulge through skills development and employment initiatives.

Shafeeq Gigyani pushed for moving beyond slogans, calling for genuine ecosystem-building that empowers young entrepreneurs and bridges the urban-rural divide.

Amna Durrani spotlighted the persistent barriers women continue to face in education, economic participation, and access to justice, urging structural reforms to convert demographic potential into real equity.

Abdur Rahman added a human dimension, reminding the audience that behind every statistic are powerful stories of resilience and aspiration that must guide policy-making.

The conversation was frank and often urgent. Panellists acknowledged Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s rich cultural heritage and its massive youthful population, but warned that without serious investment in quality education, digital skills, vocational training, and women’s inclusion, the demographic dividend could turn into a liability. Issues of youth unemployment, conservative social norms, and the need for locally driven innovation dominated the exchange.

Young students and professionals in the audience asked sharp questions about implementation, accountability, and the role of literature and arts in fostering social change.

Shafeeq Gigyani added: “As the world races toward artificial intelligence, we must move beyond being mere consumers and aim to become creators and contributors. This requires a clear national vision to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of AI.”

At the core of this shift is strong investment in critical thinking and science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics education. Without these foundations, our engagement with AI will remain limited and dependent.”

Speaking to Dawn, Shahbuddin Khan, the chief organiser, said the main objective of the event was to motivate youth to face modern-day challenges and volunteer their services for substantive societal change.

Towards the end of the first day, noted Pashto folk singer Fayyaz Khan Kheshgi entertained the audience with his charming performance.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2026