KARACHI: Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi organized a 38-day “World Culture Festival Karachi.” On the 31st day of the festival, an “Award Distribution Ceremony” was held in Auditorium I.
Chief guest of the ceremony was Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah. He was accompanied by the Provincial Minister of Culture, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, the Chief Secretary of Sindh Syed Asif Hyder Shah the Mayor of Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, the CCPO of Karachi Javed Odho and consuls general from Japan, Qatar, South Korea, the UAE, the USA, and Turkey, among others, including the Consul General of Cameroon in Pakistan and His Excellency Bukhait Atiq Al-Rumaithi, the Consul General of the UAE in Karachi.
The ceremony began with the national anthem, followed by a powerful presentation showcasing the progress of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi throughout its history. On this occasion, the Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, stated that Ahmed Shah is the greatest politician in culture.
He highlighted that the “World Culture Festival Karachi” is the longest festival at 38 days, claimed that it will set a record. He praised Ahmed Shah for his visible efforts in promoting art and culture since 2008, noting that today the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi has delivered the results of their support.
He emphasized that they are peace-loving people with a deep-rooted humanitarian spirit. He also mentioning the presence of people from 40 countries, each representing different cultures and civilizations.
He congratulated the Arts Council and its team on this achievement, noting that the festival highlighted not just the culture of Sindh, but the entire heritage of Pakistan. He expressed that today they are witnessing a blend of many beautiful cultures and pointed out that the world is changing rapidly. Festivals like this send messages of love and peace across the globe, connecting us with the world.
President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, in his welcoming address, declared their success as a collective story, attributing the Council’s progress to the support of the Pakistan Peoples Party under Syed Murad Ali Shah’s leadership. He welcomed the Provincial Minister of Interior, Zia Lanjhar, and Mayor Murtaza Wahab, announcing plans for a larger festival next year.
Provincial Minister of Culture, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, commended Ahmed Shah for managing such a large festival effectively, mentioning the full support of the Sindh government in making the festival a success, which is bringing positive recognition to Pakistan globally.
Mayor Murtaza Wahab highlighted that Karachi as a city of lights, where the people deserve to remain joyful, and asserted that the festival showcased Pakistan’s positive image to the world. He promised Ahmed Shah that the Faizi Rahimain Art Gallery would soon be handed over to the Arts Council.
Dr. Bukhaeet Atiq Al-Rumaithi, the UAE’s Consul General in Karachi, noted that the Arts Council is leading among cultural institutions in the country, crediting the hard work of Ahmed Shah and Zulfiqar Shah, and mentioned plans to hold a festival in the UAE. South Korean Consul General Yi Sungho expressed joy at being part of the festival, promising to participate with an even larger delegation next year. Japanese Consul General Hattori Masaru praised the Arts Council’s excellent work in art and culture. Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi honored renowned intellectual Anwar Maqsood with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The Chief Minister distributed shields to artists from various countries, including the USA, France, the UK, Japan, Mexico, Palestine, Malta, Spain, Germany, China, Hungary, Canada, Russia, Norway, Belarus, Nepal, Iraq, Qatar, Switzerland, Australia, South Africa, and others. President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah presented flowers to the Consul General of Qatar, the Mayor of Karachi, and other guests. The event concluded with performances by dance groups from Spain and Germany, including “Ballaet De Barcelona” and “Cocoon Dance,” which were highly appreciated by the audience, receiving enthusiastic applause.
