KARACHI, Nov 5: A 19th century renovated and refurbished army barracks was handed over to the Foundation for Museum of Modern Art by the Defence Housing Authority at a ceremony held at the Zamzama Park on Sunday.

DHA Administrator Kamran Aziz Qazi, speaking on the occasion, said that the FOMMA-DHA Art Centre would play a pivotal role in the promotion of modern arts and aesthetic activities in the city.

He said the doctrinal spirit underlying all the DHA's development projects was to improve the quality of life of its residents, and added that the contemporary art centre was in line with the same.

He assured FOMMA of all help and assistance by the DHA for the promotion of art and architecture.

He said he hoped that art centre would emerge as a venue for use by the artists community in particular and the art-loving public in general for art exhibitions, seminars, discussions and art research.

Mr Aziz mentioned the upcoming cultural complex in the Racecourse Garden Project and said it would include a building specifically for setting up a 'Museum of Modern and Contemporary Arts.'

He praised the director-general of FOMMA, Jalaluddin Ahmed, for his efforts in making the establishment of the art centre possible.

While thanking all those who came to attend the ceremony on a Sunday morning, Nighat Mir, the honorary director of the new art centre, highlighted the plan for making the premises more than just a meeting point for the artists.

The barracks has been tastefully redesigned by Imran Mir. Eminent architect Mukhtar Hussain’s cofee-table book on the houses of Pakistani architects will be launched at the centre on Dec 12.

Earlier, FOMMA Chairman Zulfiqar A. Lakhani presented the welcome address.—APP