PESHAWAR: A 12-day Dosti Peshawar Literature Festival (DPLF 2025), running from Feb 11 through Feb 22, unfolded as a remarkable celebration of intellect, creativity and cultural discourse under the evocative theme of Ranaiy-i-Khayal.

The fourth edition of the festival was arranged by Dosti Welfare Organisation in collaboration with University of Peshawar, Peshawar commissioner, NationalCommission for Human Development (NCHD), UNICEF, KP Child Protection Welfare Commission, KP Culture and Tourism Authority and department of Arabic, University of Peshawar.

This year`s festival transcended geographical boundaries, engaging audiences in Peshawar, Karak, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Mardan and tribal districts.

Under the leadership of chief organiser Dr Syed Hanif Rasool Kakakhel, the festival was inaugurated with great distinction by Farhatullah Babar, who was the chief guest at the opening ceremony, while Dr Abdul Rauf Rafiqui was chief guest on the occasion.

The 4th DPLF 2025 featured an intellectually invigorating pro-gramme comprising 12 keynote addresses delivered by eminent scholars including Dr Shahid Siddiqui, Dr Akbar Zaidi, Dr Khalid Mufti, Dr Abdul Rauf Rafiqui and Prof Arif Khattak.

The festival`s multifaceted agenda also encompassed 39 panel discussions,17 author and translator talks, three book talks, 11 workshops, three master classes, 19 standalone talks, nine book launch sessions and five dialogues alongside a special session on foreign affairs at Qurtuba University Peshawar.

Complementing these intellectual engagements, three exhibitions on arts, culture and science provided a dynamic visual and experiential dimension to the festival`s offerings.The festival placed a strong emphasis on education and inclusivity, hosting a children`s festival with dedicated sessions on special education and a higher education summit.

In alignment with its commitment to societal wellbeing, healing documentaries prepared for the event offered profound insights into contemporary social and psychological challenges.

A spectacular cultural segment at Nishtar Hall enraptured audience with the mesmerising performance of Kathak Katha a classical Kathak dance narrative by Khanzada Asfandyar Khattak. It was followed by Sanata a compelling musical theatre production directed by Nisar Tanoli of Hazarewal Theatre, whichexplored the profound themes of silence and resilience.

The festival culminated in a deeply moving and celebratory musical performance, `Songs of Peshawar` by Jwand Parasta Band, honouring the rich and diverse musical heritage of the region.

Beyond its literary and artistic engagements, the festival served as a catalyst for social transformation through its social wellbeing initiative `Healthy Minds, Healthy Society`, resonating with KP government`s drug and beggar-free campaigns.

A landmark session, `The Silent Epidemic: Addressing Drug Addiction Through Awareness and Education`, utilised the evocative power of storytelling, poetry and theatrical performances tofoster empathy and awareness around substance abuse, reinforeing the festival`s broader mission of societal betterment.

The festival left a long lasting impact on the intellectual and cultural horizon of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reinvigorating dialogue, discourse, scholarship and artistic expression.

By embracing diverse geographies, voices and perspectives, the festival solidified its commitment to inclusivity, academic excellence and transformative power of literature.

As the festival drew to a close, its echoes continued to inspire dialogue, literary engagement and cultural enrichment across the province and set the stage for even greater endeavours in the years to come.