ACP holds first alumni festival

The first alumni festival of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi (ACP) began on Friday evening. Titled ‘Arts Alumni Festival 2025’, the three-day event is set to feature several talks, workshops, theatre productions, musical performances and an art exhibition showcasing the talents of alumni of various academies being run by the ACP.

Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Asif Haider Shah was the chief secretary of the inauguration ceremony who along with ACP President Mohammad Ahmed Shah opened the festival by cutting the ribbon at Ahmed Pervez Art Gallery where an exhibition has been set up for the festival.

ACP Vice President Munawar Saeed, Secretary Ijaz Farooqui, Treasurer Qudsia Akbar, Women Empowerment Committee Chairperson Chand Gul Shah, Fine Art Committee Chairman Farrukh Tanveer Shahab, artist Shahid Rassam, Huma Mir and others.

The art exhibition showcases artworks created by 42 alumni of the ACP from 2005 to 2023, including Shehzad Jan, Yasir Noor, Behzad Warsi, Jawad Jan, Zeenat Khan, Zarnab Baloch, Bakhtiar Ahmed, Akash Joyeraj, Ramsha Khan, Rahat Tasneem, Maheen Waqar, Shaheena Naz, Naheed Noor, Kabir Atta Mohammad, Stephen Yaqoob, Rida Ali Shah, Noman Siddiqui, Nazar ul-Islam, Wissam Nasir, Jawad Hassan and Bisma Abid. The works on display belong to the disciplines of textile design, fine arts and graphic design.

A theater performance was staged to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Indo-Pak war. It focused on the heroic story of Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed. Speaking on the occasion, the chief secretary congratulated the nation on the success in the Indo-Pak war, stating, “God granted us victory, and I extend my congratulations to all Pakistanis.”

He expressed admiration for the ACP and said he was a fan of the institution. “When there was nothing here, Ahmed Shah took the reins and transformed it,” Asif remarked. In his speech, the ACP president reflected on the institution’s journey. “When we planted this seed, we never imagined it would grow into a mighty tree. When I took over in 2008, the art school was neglected. We revived it and trained students in the art forms—now there's no comparison.”

He noted that even institutions like the Indus Valley acknowledged that ACP students’ work was quickly absorbed by the market. He also proudly highlighted how the ACP helped youth from the underprivileged area of Lyari become celebrities.

He commended the chief secretary for his role in supporting the ACP and underscored the need for collaboration among cultural institutions in Pakistan. A special panel discussion titled ‘Transition in Music Education’ was also held, with noted musician Ahsan Bari and other panellists responding to audience questions.

Musicians Sameer Hamza, Nauman Sheikh and Muneeb Khan mesmerized the audience with their vocal performances, while the Adnan Butt Group delivered a vibrant dance performance. A dramatic play titled ‘Ek Masoom Sa Qatl’ was also staged and received with great enthusiasm. The three-day festival will end on Sunday.