By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: A delegation of senior civil servants from Bangladesh visited the Arts Council of Pakistan in Karachi as part of efforts to strengthen cultural relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The delegation was welcomed by Arts Council president Mohammad Ahmed Shah, who gave the visitors a tour of the institution and briefed them on its cultural activities.
A cultural evening was organised during the visit, featuring musical and dance performances representing both Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Sindhi folk musician Akbar Khamiso Khan performed on the alghoza and received a warm response from the visiting guests.
The head of the Dance Academy, Mani Chao, presented a Bharatanatyam performance, while Arts Council students Prarthna, Waqas, Vinod, Pulwasha and Sarah Hanson performed a contemporary Pakistani dance piece.
The programme also included musical performances from Pakistan and Bangladesh, a violin solo, and a range of cultural dances combining traditional and modern styles. Folk performances by Esha Tamsil and Cynthia were also part of the evening.
The audience applauded the performers throughout the event.
Director General of National Institute of Public Administration, Dr Saif-ur-Rehman, attended as a special guest.
The 12-member Bangladeshi delegation was represented by Additional Secretary of the Health Services Division Salma Siddiqua Mehtab. Other members included senior officials from Bangladesh’s ministries of commerce, interior, public administration, cabinet division, local government and disaster management.
Speaking at the event, Mohammad Ahmed Shah said he was pleased to host what he described as a significant cultural gathering.
He referred to last year’s World Culture Festival as an important milestone in the Arts Council’s activities and said artists from Bangladesh had been invited after a gap of 18 years.
Shah said the exchange had strengthened cultural ties and brought the people of the two countries closer together. He added that the Arts Council was also in contact with the Bangladeshi government.
He said art had no boundaries and played an important role in connecting people across cultures.
Dr Saif-ur-Rehman described the evening as memorable and credited Shah’s efforts and vision for making the gathering possible.
He said the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi had played a major role in promoting art, literature and culture, while providing representation to different languages and artistic traditions from across Pakistan.
At the end of the event, Mohammad Ahmed Shah presented a traditional Sindhi ajrak and a bouquet to Salma Siddiqua Mehtab on behalf of the Bangladeshi delegation.
Dr Saif-ur-Rehman also presented a shield to Mohammad Ahmed Shah in recognition of his contribution to the promotion of culture.
