Arts Council gets Rs120mn, to add additional block

Karachi: Art Council of Pakistan Karachi has obtained the cheque of Rs120mn from Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan and would add an additional block to its premises including a new spacious theater, said president Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah.

Addressing a press conference at Arts Council Auditorium here Thursday, he said the on the directives of President of Pakistan the special grant of Rs120mn was approved and the cheque handed over to them by Sindh governor.

He said they are focusing on promotion of arts and culture and within a short span of time arranged many mega programs in the fields of music, arts and culture.

He said the Sindh government in the recent budget had raised their annual grant from Rs5mn to Rs170mn, while Karachi Metropolitan Corporation also gives them annual grant of Rs1mn.

He said with the availability of these funds they have already started many projects including additional a new block and auditorium, besides launching many welfare schemes for artists. He said efforts were also being made to materialize the plan of allotting plots to the members of the council. He said insurance schemes for the artists and members would also be initiated.

Shah said they would establish an arts and music university soon, besides developing modern libraries, audio-visual libraries, in-house production floors and modern training facilities to promote art and culture.

He said they are thankful to Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan and provincial finance minister Syed Murad Ali Shah for their tireless efforts to get the additional funding approved for the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi.

Mehmood Ahmed Khan vice president, Prof Ejaz Ahmed Faruqi general secretary and Muhammad Amin Yusuf joint secretary also spoke. (PPI)