KARACHI: A meeting chaired by Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi decided that the Karachi administration, security agencies, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), town administrations, Civil Defence and other civic institutions would play their full role in ensuring the successful organisation of the Third World Culture Festival Karachi 2026, scheduled to be held from October 29 to November 22, 2026, under the auspices of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi in collaboration with the Government of Sindh. The meeting emphasised that the festival would help project a positive image of Karachi and Pakistan to the world.
The commissioner expressed hope that the Sindh government’s efforts to promote culture, literature and positive activities would contribute to the successful organisation of the festival. He directed all institutions to play their full role in ensuring the festival’s success in line with the directives of the Chief Minister Sindh and the Chief Secretary Sindh. He stressed that international guests should leave with a positive, pleasant and lasting impression of Pakistan that they could share as an example in their own countries. It was decided that special security arrangements would be made for the occasion. The commissioner directed deputy commissioners, the Special Security Unit (SSU) and the police to ensure foolproof security.
He said that all event venues would be beautified and that guests would be taken to memorable, scenic and historically and culturally significant locations across the city, particularly the University of Karachi, NED University, SZABIST and other educational institutions. Special arrangements would be made to decorate the routes and improve cleanliness. It was also decided that foreign delegates and guests would visit the mausoleum of the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, to present them with an authentic and positive reflection of a peaceful, progressive and liberal Pakistani society. Renowned painters and artists from more than 30 countries would participate in the festival and visit various locations across the city.
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and town municipal administrations would take special measures to create a festive atmosphere throughout Karachi. The meeting was attended by President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmed Shah, Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso, Municipal Commissioner KMC Abrar Jafar, the Director of Civil Defence, senior officials of the SSU and police, and representatives of cantonment boards. Other deputy commissioners and officials of relevant institutions participated through video link.
Muhammad Ahmed Shah briefed the commissioner on the World Culture Festival, including details of the programmes and artists arriving from around the world. It was decided that Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso would oversee administrative guidance and assistance for the organisation of programmes and related arrangements at the Arts Council. A dedicated facilitation desk would be established at the Arts Council under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner South to guide and assist organisers and guests. The meeting also reviewed fire safety arrangements at the Arts Council and other buildings being used for festival activities, both within and outside the Arts Council premises. It was decided that a fire safety audit of the Arts Council building and all other venues hosting festival programmes would be conducted under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner South.
The commissioner directed the Deputy Commissioner South and the Director of Civil Defence to work closely with the Arts Council to ensure appropriate fire safety measures. Steps are being taken to ensure the availability of firefighting equipment, emergency exits, and clearly designated entry and exit points, as well as compliance with safety protocols to prevent any untoward incident during an emergency.
President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmed Shah gave a detailed briefing to the commissioner, describing the festival as a unique, internationally recognised event of global stature. He said that many distinguished artists of national and international standing were keen to participate and eagerly awaiting the event. He stated that more than 1,000 artists from over 150 countries would come to Karachi for the festival, while more than 500 local artists from across Pakistan would also showcase their talents.
Theatre groups and musicians from the United States, Iran, Russia and Latin America would also perform. Briefing the commissioner on preparations, Shah said extensive arrangements were underway for the festival, with exemplary facilities being planned for the reception and accommodation of visiting artists. He expressed gratitude to the Government of Sindh and the administration for their cooperation in these efforts. Meanwhile, Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi, accompanied by Muhammad Ahmed Shah and officials concerned, also briefed the media at the Arts Council on the festival arrangements. He said that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, its municipal commissioner and the municipal commissioners of the relevant towns had been assigned responsibility for improving cleanliness and beautification across the city, particularly along major routes and around programme venues.
The Municipal Commissioner KMC reaffirmed that the corporation would not only participate fully in the event but would also work closely with the Arts Council as a key stakeholder in the festival. The KMC and relevant institutions would coordinate efforts to install festival-related branding, advertisements and hoardings across the city to highlight Karachi’s positive and attractive image. The relevant institutions also reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety and convenience of visiting delegations travelling from the airport to the festival venue, while arrangements would also be made for guests to visit various locations across Karachi.
The meeting further decided that a large number of school students would be brought to the festival. The Arts Council is coordinating with the Education Department to develop an organised plan for their participation.