KARACHI: An eclectic selection of musical talent followed by two important speeches had the audience glued to their seats on the inaugural day of the third edition of the World Culture Festival (WCF 2026) on Friday organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi.

A big stage was set up for the ceremony on which sat musicians of different backgrounds. Proceedings began with the national anthem, followed by a soulful rendition of great Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s ‘Shah jo Raag’ performed by a group of young women and men. It lent a spiritual touch to the atmosphere.

It was followed by a group of international artists called Zinda Dilan who presented daff-based music.

Pakistani folk music was then introduced by virtue of the sweet sound of the banjo. The instrument was ably played by Nisar Baloch.

CM Murad inaugurates third edition of the 25-day festival that brings together artists from 150 countries

Things took a thrilling turn when Japan’s Juna Serita unleashed a delectable array of riffs on her bass guitar. Her performance was full of verve.

Next up was another folk presentation from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the lovely sound of the rubab played by Basharat Babar. Finally, the famous thumri ‘Yaad piya ki aaey’ was sung by Shahzaib Ali.

Finally, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah addressed the audience and welcomed all the guests to the 25-day mega event.

“I am proud to welcome you to Pakistan, to Sindh, particularly in the beautiful city of Karachi, for this extraordinary celebration of art and culture. This festival is not simply a celebration of artistic talent; it is a celebration of our shared humanity, our diversity and the universal values that connect people across borders, languages and civilisations,” he said.

“The Indus Civilisation is thousands of years old and Mohenjo Daro is more than 4,000 years old. When excavations were done in Mohenjo Daro, not a single weapon was found. It proves that this land is for peace, for art. We’ve had famous poets Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai and Sachal Sarmast, to name a couple. Their poetry is all about love. Shah Latif in his famous poem [the one he quoted from] doesn’t just talk about the prosperity of Sindh, but the prosperity of the entire world.”

He observed that Karachi was increasingly emerging as an international meeting point for cultures, traditions, ideas and creative expression, reflecting Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage, hospitality and openness to the world.

Recalling the journey of the festival, CM Murad Ali Shah said he had the privilege of inaugurating all three editions and had witnessed its remarkable transformation from an ambitious cultural initiative into an internationally recognised platform.

He said the participation of artists from more than 150 countries reflected Karachi’s growing international standing and its potential to become a leading destination for cultural exchange.

Through such initiatives, he said, the world could experience Pakistan beyond headlines and preconceived perceptions, discovering the creativity of its people, the richness of its heritage and the warmth of its hospitality.

The chief minister particularly appreciated the leadership of Arts Council President Ahmed Shah and said his commitment had transformed the institution into a platform of international significance.

Reaffirming the provincial government’s commitment, he said the Sindh government stood firmly behind the World Culture Festival and the Arts Council.

He said the promotion of art and culture was not merely a governmental responsibility but a long-term investment in society, intellectual development, collective identity and future generations.

The government, he added, would continue supporting cultural institutions, encouraging emerging artists, preserving Sindh’s heritage and facilitating contemporary artistic expression and international collaborations.

He emphasised that a society investing in culture was also investing in intellectual growth, social harmony and a more enlightened future.

Earlier, the Arts Council president extended gratitude to all the donors and all the international cultural institutions who have supported him in his effort to arrange the festival. He also praised his young team for working hard for WCF.

After that, awards were distributed among foreign dignitaries and those eminent individuals who have extended their assistance to the council.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2026