Three-day Arts Alumni Festival 2026 opens at Arts Council of Pakistan in Karachi

The festival was formally opened by renowned humourist and intellectual Anwar Maqsood, who along with Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah cut the ribbon of the “Alumni Art Exhibition”.

KARACHI: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-May 9^th, 2026) The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi inaugurated its three-day “Arts Alumni Festival 2026” in a colourful ceremony featuring an art exhibition, performances, and cultural activities.

The festival was formally opened by renowned humourist and intellectual Anwar Maqsood, who along with Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah cut the ribbon of the “Alumni Art Exhibition”.

The event was attended by Vice President Munawar Saeed, Secretary Ejaz Farooqui, Karachi Press Club President Fazil Jamili, artists, members of the cultural community, alumni, and a large number of students.

Held at the Ahmed Pervez Art Gallery, the alumni exhibition showcased 31 unique artworks created by 19 students, attracting significant attention from visitors and art enthusiasts.

Speaking as the chief guest, Anwar Maqsood said the occasion was a moment of joy and reflected the recognition of young talent. He remarked that in Pakistan, “tomorrow will be a moment of truth,” adding that students were receiving recognition for their creative work.

<?php /*?> <?php */?>

He also recalled historical art exhibitions, noting that his first work was exhibited in 1958, while works by Sadequain were first displayed in 1957. He added that at the time, his painting was valued at Rs100 while Sadequain’s work was priced at Rs800, and expressed surprise at the current valuation of students’ artworks.

Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah, addressing the ceremony, said he was proud of the institution’s faculty heads and creative talent. He recalled that the music academy began with a single individual and has since grown significantly. He added that the fine arts department has produced exceptional talent rarely seen elsewhere and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to further strengthening its programmes.

The three-day festival will continue at the Arts Council until May 10, featuring theatre performances, music shows, classical and folk dances, live performances, art exhibitions, and interactive dialogue sessions aimed at promoting cultural expression and creative exchange.