KARACHI, October 20, 2026: Verse’26, an event by MediaVerse, powered by Al Baraka Bank (Pakistan) Limited, organised by the students of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Karachi, brought together an insightful event with over 500 attendees. The event featured major personalities from media, politics, business, and academia to explore how to navigate the chaos that surrounds us with a mindful approach.
Organised under the guidance of Founder and Editor Ms. Syeda Mona Batool Taqvi, Verse’26, an event by MediaVerse, powered by Al Baraka Bank (Pakistan) Limited, an initiative entirely organized by students, transformed academic theory into real-world media execution and launched the magazine’s third edition this year. The event, themed “Control in Chaos”, held at Prof. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui Auditorium, ICCBS, University of Karachi, helped students understand how to gain control of an unpredictable environment while putting their creative talents into practice against real-world challenges.
The event commenced with Qirat, followed by the national anthem, in collaboration with CODA Pakistan, interpreted in sign language by a group of deaf students, and opening remarks that set the agenda for the engaging discussions. The occasion was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Sadia Mahmood, Chairperson of the Department of Mass Communication.
“The world around has become chaotic and disastrous, and finding control under these circumstances is tedious. This birthed the concept of Verse’26, “Control Under Chaos,” said the Founder. Dr. Saadia Mahmood emphasised the distinct factor of the Verse’26 team and said, “What makes MediaVerse distinct is the diverse minds of students behind it, who voluntarily outperform themselves despite other commitments.”
This was followed by the keynote address by the Creative Advisor of MediaVerse, Waqar Hussain, highlighting the team’s activities and initiatives throughout the year. “MediaVerse has extended in the best possible ways for the Department of Mass Communication students, community development for differently abled, and focusing on the ongoing chaotic challenges around us. The impact of MediaVerse will always be there, and this is how we will keep the Verse alive.”
Dr. Samina Saeed, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, appreciated the students and encouraged them to continue striving for better. “The corporate world today requires practical experience from the younger generation and events like these serve this purpose very well.” She further emphasised on why media communication is important today and it’s growing role in the society.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Harris Shoaib, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, encouraged the students and gave his well wishes. “In today’s world, digital media has overflow of information, supplemented with graphic content. This brings chaos around us, and publication of soothing content help overcome this.”
The Panel Discussion was the highlight of the event, moderated by the Founder of Fuschia Magazine, Rabia Mughni, featuring an impressive lineup of speakers: the renowned director and actor Saife Hasan, the famous actor Alyy Khan, the well-known content creator, Osamah Nasir, and the Ex-Finance Minister Asad Umar, which focused on the theme “Control in Chaos”. The discussion analyzed how chaos can be controlled through clarity, awareness, and a positive perspective to thrive.
Asad Umar emphasised, “For youngsters, chaos should be perceived as an opportunity, not to control.” People are highly digitally active and have a distinct online identity, which brings chaos within. Focusing on that, Osamah highlighted, “I have put the best version of myself on social media, and throughout, I evolved as a person. To control that chaos, I made sure that the online version did not affect my personal life.”
The entire event was interpreted in sign language in collaboration with ConnectHear, ensuring that the entire auditorium could fully participate in and experience the event. By making the proceedings accessible through sign language interpretation, MediaVerse aimed to foster an inclusive environment where everyone could engage with the speakers, performances, and discussions.
A standout moment of the day was the Verse Talk segment, where Junaid Akram, the Pakistani comedian and content creator famously known as Ganji Swag, joined MediaVerse as Verse Talk guest speaker. His talk was followed by a lively Q&A session, where attendees asked how he manages his own chaos and balances work-life with a clear vision.
“Chaos has been a part of my life since childhood, from working as a waiter to corporate, and now a social media influencer. Controlling chaos can become toxic at times, shaping your life around it. Fail fast, fail often, and never take criticism negatively,” said Junaid Akram.
The industry’s trust in this student-led platform was proven by the support of over 65 sponsors and partners in Verse’26, an event by MediaVerse, powered by Al Baraka Bank (Pakistan) Limited, highlighting the Department of Mass Communication, University of Karachi’s reputation for excellence in media education. The event was attended by respected industry leaders, including LinkedIn Thought Leaders, Instagram influencers and brand representatives, among others.
Through a mix of print media, digital storytelling, and insightful discussions, MediaVerse 3.0 created a space for students to engage with the world beyond their classrooms. Centred on the theme “Control in Chaos”, this year’s event encouraged attendees to look at uncertainty from different perspectives, to recognise the opportunities within it, and explore ways to navigate the complexities of the world around them. By bringing together leaders, changemakers, and creative minds from multiple industries, MediaVerse bridged the gap between academic learning and real-world experiences
