KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Monday administered the oath to the newly elected body of the Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) Karachi.

The oath-taking ceremony took place at the ACP’s Auditorium I and it was attended by Culture Minister Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, consuls general of Turkiye, Sri Lanka and Iraq and several notable personalities from the fields of literature and the arts.

Muhammad Ahmed Shah (President), Munawar Saeed (Vice President), Prof Ejaz Ahmed Farooqi (Secretary) and Noorul Huda Shah (Joint Secretary), governing body members Huma Mir, S.M. Qaisar Sajjad, Iqbal Latif, Ambareen Haseeb, Ghazi Salahuddin, Sajid Hassan, Ayoub Sheikh, Akhlaq Ahmed, Amjad Hussain, Abdullah Sultan, Farrukh Tanveer, Amjad Saraj, Jaffar Ahmed, Alya Naqvi, Wasim Badami, Chand Gul and Ghouse Akbar took the oath.

Speaking on the occasion, the CM reaffirmed the Sindh government’s steadfast support for the Arts Council’s initiatives, underscoring their role in promoting tolerance, peace and cultural diplomacy.

Reaffirms his govt’s support to all initiatives

According to a press release issued from the CM House, he commended the council’s leadership for their unwavering dedication to promoting art and culture, which has earned the institution a distinctive reputation on the global stage.

The CM highlighted the long-standing partnership between the Sindh government and the Arts Council, emphasising their shared commitment to democracy and public service. He credited the council with fostering a cultural renaissance through literature and art and empowering youth by organising festivals, workshops, and seminars that nurture talent and promote positivity.

Mr Shah acknowledged the significant contributions of the Arts Council, including the successful holding of 17 International Urdu Conferences and their efforts to revive declining art forms such as qawwali and theatre.

He praised their work in supporting artists and launching initiatives like the World Culture Festival, which attracted participants from 44 countries and showcased Pakistan’s vibrant cultural heritage on the global stage.

Regarding the council’s plans, the CM expressed enthusiasm for the next edition of the World Culture Festival, which aims to host participants from over 100 countries.

He also applauded the council’s initiative to organise a Global Summit addressing pressing issues such as climate change, governance, economic challenges, artificial intelligence, and digitalisation.

Mr Shah characterised this as a groundbreaking effort that would enhance Pakistan’s international image and cultural identity and open new avenues for global relations and foreign policy.

The CM concluded his speech by encouraging the council to continue its cultural and social revolution, reiterating the government’s commitment to fostering an environment in which the arts and culture can thrive for the benefit of society and Pakistan’s global standing.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2025