The British Council, in partnership with the Women of the World (WOW) Foundation, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Entrepreneurship and Community Development Institute (ECDI) is set to celebrate 10 years of the WOW Festival Pakistan.
The WOW Festival will take place at the Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi, on January 24 and 25, 2026, to celebrate women’s achievements, foster dialogue and address the challenges they face. The festival has invited women, girls and families to enjoy a diverse and inclusive programme.
James Hampson, country director of the British Council Pakistan said: “As we celebrate a decade of Women of the World (WOW) Pakistan, it is right that we take a moment to reflect on what 10 years of this Festival has meant since that first gathering in Karachi. Giving space to women and girls and mobilising the transformational power of arts and culture is where WOW really comes into its own: hearing what’s needed to make real change.”
Amneh Shaikh-Farooqi, chair and co-curator at the WOW Pakistan said: “WOW Pakistan began with a simple conviction: women’s voices matter, and when they are heard without apology, something shifts. For 10 years, this community has built space where ideas could surface, connect and move forward - even when the world urged restraint.”
Jude Kelly, CEO & founder of the WOW Foundation, said: “When I founded WOW, I always dreamed of it taking root in Pakistan, a country with a powerful legacy of individuals and communities determined to remove barriers for women and girls. Ten years on, WOW Pakistan stands as an extraordinary beacon of creativity, courage and collective action.”
The festival’s vibrant lineup includes an opening panel with Senator Sherry Rehman, Kelly and British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott. The panel will be moderated by journalist Sidra Iqbal.
The festival programme also includes a Kathak dance performance by Nighat Chaudhry and musical performances by Natasha Baig, Baber Sheikh and Ustad Noor Buksh.
A talk on artificial intelligence would be moderated by Amber Shamsi. Actor and director Angeline Malik would discuss her battle with cancer and creative self. A master class on investment would be conducted by Mashal Khan.
