Razi Ahmed

Razi Ahmed is a distinguished cultural and business entrepreneur, renowned for founding the independent and not-for-profit Lahore Literary Festival (LLF). Since its inception, Razi has curated twelve editions of LLF in Lahore, expanding its reach internationally with six editions in New York, in collaboration with the Asia Society, and four in London, in partnership with the British Library.

Currently, Razi serves as the Chairman of the Alhamra, Lahore Arts Council, one of Pakistan’s most esteemed cultural institutions. In 2015, Razi served on the jury for the DSC Prize for South Asian Fiction, announced at the Jaipur Literature Festival.

Razi’s influence extends into journalism, where he has contributed opinion pieces to publications such as DAWN, Dissent, The Huffington Post, Scroll India, and Open Democracy. His academic background includes a degree in Political Science from the University of Chicago, and a degree in International Affairs from the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University. In addition to his cultural endeavours, Razi works full-time at Associated Group, a family-run business in Lahore.

lahorelitfest.com
@razi_ahmed_

Nashmia Haroon

Nashmia Haroon is founder and artistic director of Tagh’eer Lahore Creative Space. Since its inception in 2021, Nashmia has curated art exhibitions, organised workshops, and hosted theatre and musical performances, establishing Tagh’eer as a dynamic cultural hub.

An accomplished photographer and visual artist, Nashmia boasts a two-decade career in commercial photography. She holds a BFA in Painting (2004) and an MFA in Visual Arts (2012) from the National College of Arts, Lahore. Her photography and paintings have been exhibited across Pakistan, India, Cambodia, Dubai, the USA, and the UK. She also lectures on photography and visual arts at the National College of Arts and Beaconhouse National University.

Eager to expand her international arts and literary network, Nashmia seeks to gain insights into curating innovative creative spaces that excel in outreach programs, engaging new and diverse audiences.

tagheerlahore.com
@nashmiaharoonphotography

Adeel Hashmi

Hailing from a distinguished lineage of artists who have been pioneers of art education in Pakistan, Adeel is deeply engaged with both performing arts and art education. Upon completing his Masters in Fine Arts (Filmmaking) in the USA, Adeel embarked on his media career in 2002. His television work quickly garnered acclaim, paving the way for his dual roles as writer and actor.

In 2015, he established Pakistan’s premier annual literary event, The Faiz Festival, in honour of his grandfather, the renowned poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Adeel is also a dedicated coach and mentor, specialising as a communications trainer who guides professionals in eloquence, emotional intelligence, and authenticity. His expertise frequently earns him invitations to speak at events in Pakistan and internationally.

As a passionate stage performer and admirer of literature and art, Adeel is excited about engaging with artists and writers beyond his immediate artistic sphere. He views these interactions as opportunities to broaden his horizons and enrich the scope of literary festivals in Pakistan, where he plays a pivotal role as a curator. Additionally, he is eager to explore new art forms, conversations and ideas that await his discovery.

adeelhashmi.net
@AdeelHashmi3

Hassan Tahir Latif

Hassan Tahir Latif is a literary editor, writer, and photographer based in Lahore. As the co-founder of The Peepul Press, Managing Editor at The Aleph Review, and Editorial Consultant for Dunya Digital, Hassan has been involved in Pakistan’s education and publishing sectors for nearly a decade. His passion lies in expanding access to literature and nurturing the creative development of young people in Pakistan.

Hassan’s writing has been featured in The Aleph Review, The News on Sunday, Destinations Magazine, and Good Times Magazine. A fellow of the Pakistan Photo Festival 2023, his photography has been featured in exhibitions in Lahore and Islamabad.

Deeply committed to community building within the creative sphere, Hassan strives to forge meaningful relationships with the wider creative community. His goal is to elevate the quality of discourse in Pakistan’s literary and arts spaces, fostering an environment where rich, transformative conversations can flourish.

@hassantl
@thepeepulpress

Ameena Saiyid

Ameena Saiyid is a pioneering force in the world of literature festivals in Pakistan, where she has been instrumental in creating platforms that celebrate and promote literary culture across the country. Ameena is Managing Director of Lightstone Publishers, Founder Director of Adab Festival and holds a remarkable 30-year tenure as Managing Director of Oxford University Press Pakistan.

Her journey began with a vision to establish a scalable literature festival model that could be implemented nationwide. In 2010, she founded the Karachi Literature Festival, igniting a literary movement that has expanded to include the Adab Festival and the Children’s and Teachers’ Literature Festivals, organising a total of 20 festivals to date.

Ameena is the first woman to head a multinational company in Pakistan and to be elected President of the Overseas Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) in Karachi. Her trailblazing contributions have been recognized with numerous accolades. Ameena is the first Pakistani woman to be awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE). She also received the Knight of Arts and Letters from France in 2013 and the Sitara-e-Imtiaz from Pakistan in 2018.

In her relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation, Ameena continues to seek new ideas to keep literature festivals across Pakistan vibrant and engaging for future audiences.

adabfest.com
@adabfest

Ishrat Shaheen

Ishrat Shaheen is an interdisciplinary artist and researcher, holding degrees in Architecture and Project Management, and currently pursuing Urban Studies at Bauhaus University, Germany. Her work delves into the border narratives between India and Pakistan and explores the transformative potential of creative urbanism. Ishrat spoke on this theme at Islamabad Literature Festival in 2017 and, as part of the British Council funded programme, ‘From Keighley to Karachi: Producers of the Future’, she co-curated a digital event ‘Memory of Places’ at Bradford Literature Festival in 2021.

As founder of the Women Writers Forum Lahore Chapter, Ishrat fosters literary dialogue and community engagement. Her diverse professional experience, including with Ajoka Theatre, participation in international exhibitions, involvement in the Lahore Biennale 2019, and her role as a curatorial member for the ‘Vent Space’ gallery, has enriched her understanding of interdisciplinary artistic expression, giving her a nuanced and expansive perspective.

Ishrat has also honed her writing credentials through a residency in China and by contributing two creative pieces to My City My Home, an anthology published by the UK arts organisation, Sampad.

Ishrat is particularly interested in the role of art and literature in conflict management. She is excited to engage in cultural conversations and aims to deepen her understanding of literature’s social influence. Specifically, she seeks innovative ways to integrate art, culture, conversation, and community within urban contexts.