KARACHI: Mayor Murtaza Wahab has said the third edition of the World Culture Festival (WCF 2026) being organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, from Oct 29 to Nov 22, will celebrate the city of Karachi and welcome artists from all corners of the world.

He was speaking to journalists on Wednesday evening at the council after visiting Burns Garden and Baradari (Polo Ground) where some of the bigger programmes of the festival will take place.

Mr Wahab said culture and art play an important role in any healthy and dignified society. “I think the part that the Arts Council has played in putting the city of Karachi on the [world] cultural map must be praised and appreciated. Karachi last year hosted the event. Artists from all over the world came here to perform. It’s a matter of honour for any city if people from all across the globe come to it. It provides an opportunity to that particular city to showcase itself and to portray its positive image.”

He said from Oct 29, the festivities will begin. “It’ll be a moment to celebrate our city. It’ll be a moment to welcome international artists to the city and let them know that Karachi is the city of peace, this province is the province of peace, this country is the country of peace. We will provide all support to the council. I myself will be here with my team alongside the council’s President Ahmed Shah.”

The mayor said, “Let us focus on celebrating our city. Let us celebrate the art that will be happening. I congratulate in advance the council and all the artists who are coming to Karachi.”

Replying to a question, Mr Wahab said he believes in public spaces which were closed in the past. “With the help of the council, recently we held a big qawwali event at Burns Garden. This time around, we are arranging programmes at Burns Garden and Baradari. I want the visitors to the festival to see all the big public spaces and heritage properties in Karachi.”

Earlier, Arts Council President Ahmed Shah said his team was engaged with the KMC for the past one month.

“He [Wahab] is a very dynamic mayor. The festival is the biggest in the world. The province of Sindh has taken ownership of the event. The chief minister of Sindh takes personal interest in it. I wanted to thank the mayor for visiting the venues and extending his support. The opening event will take place at Burns Garden,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2026