SLF 2026 is on 21–22 November at Mohatta Palace Museum, Karachi. Entry is free with a pass that covers both days. Here's how to get one.
The 9th Sindh Literature Festival takes place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November 2026 at Mohatta Palace Museum in Clifton, Karachi. Entry is free, but you need a pass, and one pass covers both days.
This is the ninth edition of the festival, which started in Karachi in 2016. This year it moves into Mohatta Palace, the 1927 stone mansion in Clifton that has been a museum since 1999.
When is SLF 2026?
The festival runs for two days:
- Day 1: Saturday 21 November 2026
- Day 2: Sunday 22 November 2026
The first day opens with the inauguration, followed by panels and conversations, and ends with a music evening. The second day brings more sessions, a run of short SLF Talks, the Safeer-e-Sindh Award session, a comedy session and a closing talk. The full programme, with session titles, speakers and times, will be published on the festival website before the event.
Where is it held?
Mohatta Palace Museum, 7 Hatim Alvi Road, Block 5, Old Clifton, Karachi. The palace sits near the junction of Hatim Alvi Road and Motilal Goverdhandas Road, a short drive from Clifton Beach. There are two entry gates, a session stage, a music stage, and an area for book, craft and food stalls.
Is the Sindh Literature Festival free?
Yes. There is no ticket price. You book a free pass online, and it's sent to your email with a QR code. Show it on your phone, or printed, at the gate.
A few rules keep it simple:
- One pass per person.
- One pass works on both days.
- Children need their own pass.
- You can get your pass again from the website with the same email address if you lose it.
What happens at the festival?
Sessions run in Sindhi, Urdu and English. Expect book launches, conversations with writers and journalists, poetry, a music night, a comedy session and talks on history, culture and life in Sindh today. Publishers, artisans and food sellers set up stalls across both days, so many visitors come for the books and the ajrak as much as the talks.
On the second day, the Safeer-e-Sindh Award is presented on stage. It honours people whose work promotes Sindh's culture, art and tourism.
Who organises SLF?
The festival is organised by the Sindh Literary Foundation. It was started in 2016 by journalists Naseer Gopang, the festival's founder and producer, and Zohaib Kaka, its managing director.
How to take part
- Visit: book your free pass on the website.
- Run a stall: apply through the Book a stall form on the festival website, or email [email protected]. Stalls are given first come, first served.
- Get in touch: [email protected]
Quick answers
When is the Sindh Literature Festival 2026? 21–22 November 2026.
Where is SLF 2026? Mohatta Palace Museum, Old Clifton, Karachi.
Is entry free? Yes, with a free pass booked online.
Do I need a pass for each day? No. One pass covers both days.
Which languages are the sessions in? Sindhi, Urdu and English.
Which edition is this? The 9th.
