KARACHI, Oct 30 (APP):The 25-day third edition of the World Culture Festival Karachi 2026, organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, opened in grand style, with a large number of distinguished guests, diplomats and representatives from various countries attending the inaugural ceremony on Friday.
The ceremony was attended by Federal Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani, Sindh Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho, and a large number of diplomats based in Islamabad and Karachi. President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah warmly welcomed the distinguished guests. The ceremony commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthem. President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmed Shah presented the World Culture Festival 2026 award to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. Federal Minister Aurangzeb Khichi, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Provincial Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah and IG Sindh Javed Alam Odho were also honoured with awards. The Chief Minister and President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmed Shah subsequently presented awards to the visiting diplomats.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that Sindh is a land of Sufis, love, brotherhood and tolerance, adding that art and music brought people closer together. He said the World Culture Festival was being organised through a joint collaboration between the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi and the Government of Sindh, bringing together artists and diplomats from across the world. Recalling the vision behind the festival, the Chief Minister said Muhammad Ahmed Shah had once approached him with a proposal to organise an international cultural festival by inviting representatives from 100 countries. Ahmed Shah had turned that vision into reality by bringing 150 countries together on a single platform, marking a historic achievement. Congratulating Muhammad Ahmed Shah and the Arts Council on the successful organisation of the festival, Murad Ali Shah said the Arts Council had transformed the event into an outstanding international platform with the support of its sponsors. He warmly welcomed the foreign diplomats and distinguished guests visiting Karachi and expressed gratitude to the media and journalist community for their extensive coverage of the event. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the World Culture Festival would leave a profound and lasting impression across the world.
Before the inaugural ceremony, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab inaugurated the first international art exhibition, titled “Method & Madness.” In his welcome address at the opening ceremony, President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmed Shah paid tribute to the Sindh Chief Minister, recalling that the fortunes of the Arts Council changed on July 29, 2016, when Murad Ali Shah assumed office as Chief Minister. He said that during his visit to the Arts Council after taking office, the Chief Minister had seen the incomplete building and immediately directed the release of Rs100 million to facilitate its completion. Ahmed Shah said he had also had the privilege of working with the Chief Minister’s late father, a relationship he continued to cherish. He said Murad Ali Shah had clearly directed that the benefits of the Arts Council should not remain confined to Karachi alone. Following the Chief Minister’s instructions, Arts Council centres were established in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Khairpur, Larkana and Mirpurkhas, providing opportunities and support to hundreds of talented young people, musicians and visual artists across Sindh.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
