RAWALPINDI: More than 70 works created by internationally-renowned calligraphers were displayed at the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC).

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Qasim Khan Suri inaugurated the exhibition. RAC Director Waqar Ahmad was also present on the occasion.

Works that were exhibited were made by Mohammad Ashraf Heera, Waseem Ashraf, Aslam Dogar and Mohammad Younis Rumi.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Suri said calligraphy was both our great religious and cultural heritage.

“It is the responsibility of all of us to protect and promote it,” he said, adding that calligraphy was the legacy of Muslims.

The tradition of calligraphy was centuries old and our calligraphers were the trustees of this tradition who had kept this art form alive, he said, adding that calligraphy had a prominent and unique place in our civilisation and culture.

“Today’s young people are stepping into the field of painting with a fresh perspective. The arts council is in the true sense, the guardian of the culture of Punjab province and lost crafts, customs and traditions have been taken care of by it,” he said.

He said the government was working hard to improve the working environment for artists, adding that the PTI-led former federal government had done a lot for the promotion of arts and culture.

The arts council director, Waqar Ahmad, said calligraphy was one of the oldest art forms in the world and the council was taking substantial steps to promote it.

Calligraphy classes are a link in this chain, he said, adding that the work of artists was good and it was an effort to promote Islamic culture.

He said the council was the biggest institution for promoting art, culture, literature and performing arts in Punjab.

“The establishment of arts councils in nine divisions and four districts in Punjab shows the importance that the government gives to the promotion of culture in the province,” he added.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2022