By Rafiq Vayani
KARACHI: Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi organized a Youm-e-Tashakkur (Thanksgiving Day) at the Jaun Elia Lawn to celebrate its landslide victory in the 2025-26 elections. The event began with a Quranic recitation, followed by a cake-cutting ceremony to mark the birthday of the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Father of the Nation), and the celebration of Christmas. The newly elected President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Mohammad Ahmed Shah, along with the members of the Governing Body, cut the cake.
The event was attended by a distinguished gathering of writers, intellectuals, poets, singers, artists, painters, and other personalities from the fields of art and culture. Addressing the gathering, President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Mohammad Ahmed Shah expressed his gratitude. He said that “First and foremost, I thank Allah, and then all those who are connected to knowledge, culture, art, and the creative fields.” He shared the historical significance of the Arts Council, recalling that when it was established, Pakistan was only seven years old. He said, “At that time, all our prominent artists and cultural figures were here. Karachi was home to all languages, including Balochi, Sindhi, and others, and our population was only four hundred thousand, which has now grown to over twenty-five million.”
He further elaborated, “In 1955, seven peoples wrote a letter to General, requesting land for the cultural institute. They had envisioned not making it a government institution, and with just 719,000 rupees, we built the original building, which famously features a mural by the renowned artist Sadequain, whose art gained international fame. Arts Council became the first cultural center in Pakistan. It was under the leadership of Jalaluddin Ahmed who invited international artists, and exhibitions started taking place here. Our culture’s legacy was preserved and nurtured.”
Reflecting on the rich history of the Arts Council, President Shah added, “In our first Urdu conference, all the major figures were present. Sadly, only a few of them are alive today, but the legacy continues with the same dedication for over seventy years.” He highlighted the importance of Quaid-e-Azam’s teachings and their relevance in the modern world.
“The teachings of our leader are the guiding light for us. His message was for Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, and all people regardless of their faith, and we have kept this vision alive within our institution. The doors of the Arts Council remain open for people of all generations, languages, and religions. Whether someone arrives in a luxury car or worn-out slippers, everyone has equal rights here.”
He also expressed his gratitude towards the Government of Sindh for their continued support, saying, “Our grant is in millions, but the work we are doing exceeds billions. The Arts Council is uniting this country through culture. We aim to break the barriers of language-based hatred through dialogue.”
The evening concluded with a mesmerizing Qawwali performance by the renowned artists Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad, who, along with their group, enchanted the audience with their powerful voices.
The Qawwali performance captivated a large number of Arts Council members, prompting many to join in the rhythm and sway to the music. A sumptuous dinner was also arranged for the Arts Council members, making the event an unforgettable evening of cultural celebration and unity.
