he third iteration of Peshawar Literary Festival, a two-day affair, was organised at the Nishtar Hall. The event brought about many conversations that needed to be had. The first day opened with engaging sessions and panel talks. One of the sessions was organised for children.

The event was arranged under the auspices of the Directorate of Youth Affairs in collaboration with Culture, Literature and Development Organisation. Panel discussions, open-mic activities and entrepreneurs stole the show on the first day.

The inaugural discussion, titled Youth, Women and the Future of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, brought together four voices from the civil society, government and the development sector to examine one of the most urgent questions facing the region today. The panellists shared their distinct perspectives, shaped by different experiences, yet united by a deep concern for the province’s trajectory.

Zubair Khattak highlighted government initiatives aimed at tapping into the youth bulge through skills development and employment initiatives. Shafeeq Gigyani pushed for moving beyond slogans, calling for 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 spoke of the human dimension, reminding the audience that behind every statistic there are powerful stories that must guide policy-making.

The conversation was candid and urgent. The panellists acknowledged Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s rich cultural heritage and the potential of its young 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. Students and young professionals in the audience asked questions about implementation, accountability and the role of literature and arts in fostering social change.

Shafeeq Gigyani said, “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, Mathematics education. Without these foundations, our engagement with AI will remain limited and dependent.”

Shahbuddin Khan, the chief organizer, told The News on Sunday that the main objective of the event was to motivate the youth and support them in facing challenges confronting them. “Participation of the youth, children and women alongside literary icons and scholars added to the spirit of the event,” he said.

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

The second day focused on youth, education and employment opportunities. In a session titled Are We Preparing Our Youth for the Future? the gap between the education system and the job market was extensively discussed. Another talk titled Youth Bulge: Demographic Dividend or Development Challenge? examined the implications of a growing youth population.

A discussion on Reading, Literature and Intellectual Growth highlighted the role of literature in intellectual development. Parallel training sessions offered practical learning in animation, content creation, photography, digital marketing, freelancing, e-commerce and data management and Excel skills.

Another panel discussed: Guardians of Justice: the Role of the Legal Community in Pakistan’s Social and Political Landscape.

Dr Mehrub Moiz Awan, a physician, Fulbright scholar and global policy practitioner, shared her insights. This was followed by a soulful musical performance by Schumaila Rehmat Hussain.

The festival concluded with a vibrant cultural evening titled Youth, Skills and Tradition: A Cultural Celebration that featured a trilingual poetry recitation session (Pashto, Hindko and Urdu) and musical and cultural performances.

The writer is a Peshawar-based journalist. His X handle: @Shinwar-9