Dawn Images

Last weekend the KLF was packed with enthusiastic Karachiites all eager to grab the best seats in their favourite sessions, and why not?

With speakers like Ayesha Jalal, Mirza Waheed, Nadeem F. Paracha and Sheema Kermani, it's no wonder all of Karachi turned up in throngs. From insightful discussions to book launches and documentary screenings, the three-day event had a lot to offer the attendees.

Here's a look at 11 notable quotes from the lit fest that we feel need to be highlighted:

1) People kill but the state buries these victims: Nafisa Shah

The author of 'No Honour in Honour Killing' spoke at length about how Pakistan's legal structure enables honour killers to walk scot-free during session 'Gender Violence, Law, Religion and power in Pakistan' on Day 1 of the fest.

2) What we need to think about is what exactly is our cultural heritage. We have not been able to resolve our cultural identity: Sheema Kermani

Renowned classical dancer Sheema Kermani's talk on culture during session 'Cultural Heritage Preservation in Pakistan and South Asia' on Day 2.

3) If an artist wants, he or she can learn any language for a film, you just need to have passion: Shabnam

Shabnam's session 'Phool aur Shabnam' with Bushra Ansari on Day 2 was completely packed. People of all ages flocked to the main garden to see the veteran actor as she spoke about her life achievements.

4) The special advantage of Pakistan is that our first generation is still alive. We should prioritise their stories: Anam Zakaria

Educationist and writer Anam Zakaria on the importance of scrutinizing history textbooks in the session 'Skewered History: How History Dies with the Syllabus' on Day 1.

5) Being a writer is like holding public office, everyone has an opinion [about you]: Omar Shahid Hamid

The police officer-turned-novelist opened up about his life in the session 'Murder they wrote' on Day 3.

6) I don't call our cinema a revival, I believe it is a new emerging cinema in Pakistan and the one place to have done this is Karachi: Bushra Ansari

The extremely talented Bushra Ansari aimed to entertain while Shabnam was en rout to the KLF during session 'Phool aur Shabnam'. And though the actor joked, belted out a song for her fans, she also touched upon our local film industry and pointed out how the emerging cinema needs to be applauded for the efforts (being) put into it.

7) In our society, the difference between satire and tanz requires a certain level of IQ, but now it's gone: Wusat Ullah

The hilarious session 'Zara Hut Kay' on Day 2 had everyone erupting in laughter as trio Wusat Ullah Khan, Mubashir Zaidi and Zarrar Khuhro spoke about their TV show and how Pakistani's take satire with a pinch of salt. And of course, there were quite a few funny inserts from moderator Nadeem F. Paracha.

8) The fashion industry has its politics and cliques and horror stories, but as long as you lay low and concentrate on your work, you can thrive: Maheen Karim

Designer Maheen Karim had a number of interesting experiences to share with the audience in session 'The New Generation of Creatives in Pakistan' on Day 3.

9) The only way to travel intensely is on foot, alone and without a safety net: Ilija Trojanov

Bulgarian–German writer Ilija Trojanov talked about travelling in the session 'Collector of Worlds' which is also the name of his book. He added, "The travel industry today actually disallows travel and takes the fun out of it because it has become such a comfortable experience."

10) Comedy is natural to Pakistanis because comedy and tragedy go hand in hand: Shandana Minhas

Fiction- writer Shandana Minhas explains the thought process behind her novel during her book launch Daddy's Boy on Day 3.

11) Growing up, cinema is the worst depiction of Kashmir, they use it as a prop: Mirza Waheed

Kashmiri novelist and journalist Mirza Waheed on growing up in Kashmir during session 'Of Love in a Place of War' on Day 2.