By Ashar Alam Imad
KARACHI: A well-attended Eid Milan Mushaira brought together poets, writers and literature enthusiasts at the Karachi Press Club on 29 March, in an evening that blended celebration with literary expression.
The Mushaira was organized by Dareecha (Fun o Adab), a cultural body dedicated to promoting aesthetic discourse and the arts. A number of prominent poets from across the city participated, alongside an engaged audience of literary admirers. The session was presided over by senior poet Saleem Foz, with Sohail Ahmed, Zahid Hussain Johri, Nisar Ahmed Nisar and Dr Sikandar Ali Mutrib attended as chief guests.
Proceedings were moderated by M.M. Mughal, while the organization’s chairperson Shabana Khan Shabi Tar assisted in coordinating the program. In her welcome address, Shabana Khan highlighted the organization’s literary journey and thanked guests for their participation, before presenting her own poetry.
The poets took to the stage, including Hina Kanwal Sajawal, Faraz Shahid, Ashar Alam Imad, Dr Shahid Siddiqui, Chand Ali, Arif Pervez Naqeeb, Naheed Azmi, Dr Khalid Mahmood Qaiser and Tauqeer Taqi, drawing applause for their recitals. Senior poets on the dais later presented selected verses, adding to the atmosphere.
The gathering also saw participation from notable figures, including Javed Hussain, Meh Jabeen Zahid, visiting US-based poet Dr Durrakhshan, representatives of Pak British Arts International, and provincial lawmaker Dr Syed Shariq Jamal, among others.
In his presidential address, Saleem Foz praised the quality of the poetry and commended the organizers for hosting what he described as a successful literary evening. His own recitation was warmly received, with the audience requesting additional verses.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from the organizers and the presentation of bouquets to guests. The mushaira was widely seen as a meaningful platform for fostering literary connections and celebrating the enduring appeal of Urdu poetry.
