KARACHI, Feb 15: The 16th APNS awards ceremony will be held on Feb 19 (Wednesday evening) at heritage sites in Thatta, around 96km outside Karachi. Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali will be the chief guest on the occasion.
“It will be a unique event that will dwell in a sober fashion on the future direction of the Fourth Estate in Pakistan. At the same time the unique location of the Makli Hills outside the medieval township of Thatta and Mughal emperor Shah Jehan’s Jami Masjid inside the town will generate an environment that reflects the rich heritage and the culture of Sindh in particular and southern Pakistan in general,” says an APNS press release.
Preparations are underway involving officials of the federal government, the Sindh government, the district government at Thatta and a wide-ranging organizing committee comprising APNS officials and members, business houses, cultural experts and Pakistan Television. “The effort has been phenomenonal,” says an APNS spokesman. “The complications of staging a huge event of this magnitude across the three km ridge of the Makli Hills while greeting the Prime Minister at the doors of the historical Shah Jehan Mosque several miles away, will be synthesized for millions of viewers across the world during a four-hour plus live broadcast on Pakistan Television.”
Flood lighting experts and event specialists have been assigned the task of designing this mammoth event which is expected to be attended by over 700 guests, including prominent politicians from government and opposition, heritage specialists and conservationists, heads of some of the country’s largest business houses and prominent newspaper editors and publishers.
“The APNS under advice from a panel of heritage experts, including archaelogists and other cultural officials, has implemented stringent precautions for the protection of all historical monuments during the staging of this event. Sindh and Thatta district government officials have closely conducted their works activities in concert with the officials of the federal ministry of culture and the department of archeology. Within the Sindh government, the secretaries of culture and home are providing daily briefings to the highest officials in the province,” the APNS press release states.
“The cultural programme, which will consist of a 300-strong delegation of artistes and musicians from all over the country, will be entirely traditional and based on Sufi music from the Chishtia and Qadiria mystic traditions. The prominent national poet, Ahmed Faraz, will read his new elegiac poem on the Makli to the seated audience. Authenticity and a respect for tradition will be reflected in the APNS ceremonies in Thatta,” the press release concludes.
An APNS spokesman has announced that comfortable and secure travel arrangements have been made along the 96km route for all invitees travelling to Thatta, whether by the APNS provided coach-service or by private vehicles. An announcement providing details will be made in the national press within the next 48 hours.
The APNS Secretariat has admitted to delays in the distribution of cards to invitees, but has expressed confidence that the problem will be resolved by Monday afternoon.
