By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: The 39-day “World Culture Festival 2025”, organized by the Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) Karachi, concluded in a grand ceremony that celebrated global cultural exchange. Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah attended the closing as chief guest.
President of the Arts Council, Muhammad Ahmed Shah welcomed the guests, while the ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, Sindh Minister for Labor and Human Resources Saeed Ghani, members of the ACP governing body, Additional IG Sindh Javed Alam Odho, DIG SSU Dr Maqsood Ahmed, DG Ministry of Foreign Affairs Irfan Soomro, directors of various cultural institutions including the Iranian Cultural Center, British Council, Alliance Française and Goethe-Institute Karachi, and consuls generals from countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Iran, Sri Lanka, Japan, the UAE and Germany.
Diplomats and ambassadors from Morocco, Palestine, and the Philippines were also present, alongside national cultural figures and a large number of citizens. The ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthem and a show reel highlighting the international cultural activities featured over the 39 days.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah thanked Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani, international envoys, national and international artists, media representatives, and other distinguished guests. “All the artists present here performed at the Arts Council.
Chief Minister said the story started last year when Ahmed Shah promised to hold an even bigger festival. Karachi was once the capital of Pakistan, but today it is the cultural capital. Culture is our identity,” he said. He said that Karachi hosted more than 1,000 artists from 142 countries, with the festival focusing on the themes of peace and environment.
“Through art, we highlighted the genocide taking place in Gaza to the world. Art gives a message of peace. Environment was the second theme of this festival,” he said. He described the festival as an extraordinary success, noting the participation of more than a thousand artists at a time when global conflicts continue.
The final day of the festival coincided with Sindh Culture Day, which he said was a fitting celebration of the province’s tradition of peace and tolerance. Shah praised Ahmed Shah for his dedication to art and culture, highlighting the participation of special children in the festival. “Karachi has faced many difficulties, but it also holds tremendous opportunities for progress. I thank all artists from around the world. Do not harm others for your happiness,” he said.
In his welcome address, President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmed Shah thanked the Chief Minister, ministers, diplomats, ambassadors, Sindh officials, Sindh Police, and international artists. He acknowledged the continuous support of the Sindh government and security agencies, noting that more than 80% of international artists had come at their own expense.
“Last year we had participation from 44 countries; this year artists came from all over the world. Our team, students and volunteers worked day and night without breaks. Next year we will host an even bigger festival,” he said. During the ceremony, the Palestinian ambassador Dr Zuhair Mohammad Hamadallah Zaid presented a symbolic Palestinian scarf to the Chief Minister and Arts Council president, while CM Sindh presented traditional Sindhi Ajrak and shields to the ambassador and international artists.
The final day of the festival featured a dance workshop by Cameroon’s renowned artist Jay C Val, attended by students of the Arts Council Dance Academy. Egypt presented the theatre play When, written and directed by Eiad Elsiedy and performed by the Badeya group.
The evening concluded with a grand musical performance. Legendary Balochi artist Ustad Noor Bakhsh enthralled the audience with his benjoo, followed by a performance from folk singer Taj Mastani. International artists including Veronica from Belarus, Kenta Shoji from Japan, Farah Baba Ammi from Algeria, Zouratie Kone from Bangladesh, and Cameroon’s Jay C Val with Sovapa delivered a joint performance, adding further splendour to the festival’s finale.
