The six-day “Sindh Artists Exhibition” was launched at the Ahmed Pervez Art Gallery, inaugurated by Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi. Joining him were Provincial Culture Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah and President of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Muhammad Ahmed Shah. The event features 82 artists from across Sindh, with notable figures such as Farrukh Shahab and Masood A. Khan in attendance.
Governor Kundi, while appreciating the exhibition, thanked Minister Shah for the invitation and praised the Arts Council and the Sindh Culture Department for their efforts in promoting local heritage. He highlighted the deep historical roots of the region’s culture, asserting that it cannot be erased. “Culture is a ministry in Sindh that people often do not understand,” Kundi remarked, adding that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was once a beacon of peace and one of the world’s oldest civilizations.
Reflecting on the global participation in the “World Culture Festival Karachi,” Kundi emphasized that such events elevate Pakistan’s image internationally, attracting interest from people worldwide. He advocated for using cultural promotion as a tool to combat extremism and stressed the need to empower the youth. “We need the pen, not the gun,” he said, urging for peacebuilding through culture. He also highlighted a lack of cultural spaces in Peshawar and shared his plans to work with the federal government to allocate exhibition halls for future cultural activities.
Provincial Culture Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah lauded the efforts of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, particularly its President Muhammad Ahmed Shah, for organizing the festival on such a grand scale. Shah underscored the importance of spreading messages of peace and culture and announced that a similar cultural festival would soon take place in Peshawar. He noted that over 40 countries are participating in the “World Culture Festival Karachi,” adding that despite challenges, they remain undeterred. Shah recalled his success in organizing a festival in Quetta and expressed optimism for Peshawar, describing its residents as kind-hearted.
He also expressed pride in seeing the work of artists from across Sindh showcased at the exhibition. President of the Arts Council, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, expressed his gratitude to Governor Kundi for attending the “World Culture Festival Karachi” and declared that they aim to set a global record with the largest festival ever held. Shah stressed that culture is vital for society’s survival, citing the support of the Sindh government in these efforts.
He also paid tribute to Zulfiqar Bhutto for establishing Pakistan’s first cultural ministry, in line with the vision of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Despite protests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shah emphasized that they are committed to continuing cultural initiatives across Pakistan, noting successful events in Quetta and their willingness to bring cultural festivals to Peshawar as well.
He expressed frustration with the Punjab government for not allowing a concert from Berlin to Lahore, but reiterated his belief that “culture is the greatest weapon” in promoting peace. Shah urged Governor Kundi to play an active role in promoting cultural activities. The exhibition showcases a wide array of artwork by renowned and emerging artists, including Sm Naqvi, Raheela Abro, Sana Nezam, Maqbool Ahmed, Sohail Hashmi, Salman Farooqi, Bandah Ali, Masood A. Khan, Muhammad Zeeshan, Misbah Pervaiz, and many more. The event offers a platform for both established and new artists to exhibit their creativity and contributions to Sindh’s cultural landscape. The “Sindh Artists Exhibition” runs until October 24, providing visitors a rich insight into the vibrant artistic heritage of the region.
