A two-day festival in Karachi for Sindhi, Urdu and English literature, poetry, music and ideas, held since 2016. What happens there and who goes.
The Sindh Literature Festival, known in Sindhi as Sindh Adabi Melo (سنڌ ادبي ميلو), is a yearly festival in Karachi for the literature, languages, music and heritage of Sindh. It has been held since 2016 and is organised by the Sindh Literary Foundation.
People often call it SLF. Over two days (three in some earlier years), writers, poets, historians, journalists, artists and students meet for talks, book launches, poetry and music. Sessions run in Sindhi, Urdu and English.
Why it started
Journalists Naseer Gopang and Zohaib Kaka set up the festival in 2016 to give Sindh's writers and languages a public stage in Karachi. Naseer Gopang is the founder and producer. Zohaib Kaka is the managing director. Both came to the festival from broadcast journalism.
The idea was to put established names and new writers in the same place as their readers.
What happens at SLF
A typical festival day mixes several kinds of sessions:
- Talks and panels on literature, language, history and what is happening in Sindh today.
- Book launches, where authors introduce new work in person.
- Poetry, including mushaira sessions with poets reading in different languages.
- Music, with folk and Sufi performers, usually in an evening session.
- Theatre and comedy, which have become regular parts of the programme.
- Stalls for publishers, artisans and food sellers, open all day.
Past festivals have also included art exhibitions, sessions with children from village schools, and conversations between generations of Sindhi literary families.
Who goes to the festival?
Readers, students, teachers, writers, journalists, artists and families. Many visitors come from outside Karachi, and members of the Sindhi diaspora travel home for it. The festival's own audience figures show most visitors are between 18 and 35.
Over the years the stage has hosted the Sufi singer Abida Parveen, writers and poets from across Sindh, and public figures from across Pakistan. The festival has been covered by Dawn, The Express Tribune, Arab News and Jang.
The Safeer-e-Sindh Award
Each year SLF presents the Safeer-e-Sindh Award. Safeer means ambassador. The award goes to people whose work promotes Sindh's culture, art and tourism, at home and abroad, and it is handed over on stage during the festival.
Where and when is the next festival?
The 9th Sindh Literature Festival takes place on 21–22 November 2026 at Mohatta Palace Museum, Clifton, Karachi. Entry is free with a pass booked online.
Quick answers
What does Sindh Adabi Melo mean? It is Sindhi for "Sindh literature festival". Adab means literature and melo means fair or festival.
When did the Sindh Literature Festival start? In November 2016, at Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi.
Who founded SLF? Naseer Gopang and Zohaib Kaka, both journalists.
Who organises it? The Sindh Literary Foundation.
Is it free? Yes. You need a free pass.
What languages are used? Sindhi, Urdu and English.
