By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: The 32nd day of the World Culture Festival 2025 at the Arts Council of Pakistan in Karachi marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of the School of Visual and Performing Arts building by Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah. The ceremony, attended by senior government officials, foreign diplomats, and international artists, underscored the city’s growing reputation as a cultural hub.
President of the Arts Council, Mohammad Ahmed Shah, accompanied the Chief Minister and briefed him on the departments within the new school, which included Fine Arts, Communication, Textile Design, Music, Theatre, and Dance. The Chief Minister also met members of Singapore’s Maya Dance Company, including children with Down syndrome, as well as other international performers participating in the festival.
The event opened with a recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthem, and a vibrant dhol performance by Punjabi musician Fazal Jutt welcomed the Chief Minister. Speaking at the inauguration, Murad Ali Shah praised Ahmed Shah for organizing a festival “even bigger than last year” and described the opening of the new building as a landmark achievement.
He announced that the Arts School would soon be granted university status and welcomed artists from across the globe, highlighting the inclusivity of the event, particularly for performers with disabilities.
Mohammad Ahmed Shah expressed gratitude to the Sindh Government for its support and detailed the extensive work undertaken to restore and expand the Arts Council premises, including the construction of the new building and murals by French and Swedish artists. He highlighted the Council’s commitment to education, noting thousands of children in the province had received free training in the arts.
The day also featured an array of cultural performances. Italian films “Paperheart” and “Everything is Fine” were screened alongside the Pakistani film “Tu Mera Dost.” Theatre productions included Zeeshan Haider Nalwala’s “Either Way,” portraying the struggles of a couple estranged from their families, and Azerbaijan’s “My Mother’s Book,” which celebrated national and moral values.
The evening concluded with a spellbinding guitar performance by Chilean artist Vicente, leaving the audience mesmerized. The festival, which continues until December 7, has been widely praised for showcasing international talent and for transforming Karachi into a vibrant stage for global arts and culture.
