Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori inaugurated the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi’s World Culture Festival, while Muhammad Ahmed Shah, President of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, extended a warm welcome to him. Diplomats representing Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Oman were in attendance at the festival.
Governor Kamran Khan Tessori stated that Pakistan has never seen a world culture festival like this before. He felt honored to be invited by Ahmed Shah and warmly welcomed artists from 40 countries. He emphasized the importance of culture and heritage to every nation, noting that only resilient nations can overcome challenges and economic crises. He praised Ahmed Shah for spreading joy and providing platforms for artists. Karachi deserves credit for reviving the cultural festival and showcasing Pakistan’s positive image worldwide for 35 days. The Sindh government played a significant role in organizing the festival, marking a day of pride. He expressed optimism for the future, believing that Pakistani artists will continue to bring honor to the country internationally. He congratulated Muhammad Ahmed Shah and the Sindh government for the successful organization of the World Culture Festival Karachi.
Muhammad Ahmed Shah, the President of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, explained that the World Culture Festival Karachi aims to foster cultural connections among not only Pakistan but also the entire world. The festival intends to showcase Pakistan’s ancient civilization, which dates back 5,000 years. Shah dismissed the association of terrorism with Pakistan, emphasizing their peaceful nature as inheritors of the ancient civilizations of Taxila, Harappa, and Mohenjo-Daro. He expressed pride in Pakistan’s culture and highlighted that the festival’s organization was a collaborative effort involving the governing body members, executive director, and entire team. The festival’s objective is not competition, but rather the promotion of a culture that can counter terrorism. Shah further mentioned the participation of various countries such as Ukraine, Palestine, the USA, Germany, and India, emphasizing that the festival has no political agenda, and artists from all backgrounds will be performing. Additionally, universities are actively engaged to ensure the younger generation’s continued involvement. As a demonstration, a joint international song produced by Pakistan, South Africa, and Nepal was presented, with plans to involve 20 more countries in the festival next November.
The Arts Council currently has international artists, proving Ahmed Shah’s words true. The misconception about terrorism in Pakistan is incorrect, and the World Culture Festival Karachi will showcase a positive image of Pakistan. The Provincial Minister of Culture and Tourism, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, emphasized the universality of music and art as languages of love and encouraged other provinces to organize similar cultural events. He commended the Sindh government’s support for the Arts Council Pakistan Karachi and praised Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah’s efforts.
The Karachi World Culture Festival will showcase more than 100 cultural performances and over 450 artists, including theater, music, and dance groups from Pakistan and various international countries. The festival will also feature fine art exhibitions. Performances will encompass a diverse range of countries such as Palestine, Turkey, India, UAE, USA, UK, Germany, China, Australia, Russia, Egypt, Iraq, South Africa, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Brazil, Spain, Belgium, Ukraine, Oman, Qatar, Malta, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Azerbaijan, Scotland, Hungary, France, Uganda, Belarus, Ireland, Kosovo, Burundi, Congo, Rwanda, Algeria, and Switzerland. Additionally, the festival will include Qawwali, classical dance, and performances by renowned artists like Akhtar Chanal, Wahab Bugti, Mai Dhai, Abdullah the instrumentalist, Faqeer Zulfiqar, and traditional instruments like Sarangi and flute. Notable international artists, including Sahib Pashazade, Kamran Karimov, Peace Jules from Rwanda, Le Dia, Gasasira Rugamba Serge, Madan Gopal from Nepal, Wahab Shah Dance Company, Farhan Raees Khan, Ahsan Bari, Arman Rahim, and Mustafa Baloch, will contribute to the festival with their captivating musical performances. Mani Chao’s rendition of Peer Di Jugni received applause, while Mumtaz Afzal mesmerized the audience with classical and folk performances on the banjo.
