KARACHI, May 5: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has approved establishment of a “Cultural Village” comprising the Karachi Arts Council, Faizi Rahmeen Art Gallery, National Museum and the Burns Garden in Karachi.

He directed, on Monday, Sindh chief secretary to chalk out an elaborate strategy to materialize the envisaged village.

Meanwhile, talking to a delegation of the Karachi Arts Council, led by Khushbakht Shujaat, which called on him at the Governor’s House on Monday, the governor deplored rampant apathy towards art and culture in the country and vowed that the government would take measures for promotion of the same.

The governor directed the department concerned to set up an endowment fund for artists.

The governor, on the occasion, also approved grants worth Rs250,000 to arrange shades for Arts Council’s open air theatre and one million rupees for construction of offices in the council’s premises. He ordered that the auditorium should be completed by Aug 31.

He also announced to raise the annual budget for the Arts Council from Rs10,000 to one million and directed the City Government to beautify the gardens around the council premises.

The delegation appreciated the views expressed by the governor for the promotion of arts and culture, and for announcing financial support for artists.—APP