KARACHI, April 17: Preparations are fast underway for making the proposed “Cultural Village” operational, starting with the holding of Book Bazaar at M.R. Kiyani Road, the main thoroughfare of the village during the next two weeks. This was stated by a city government official, while talking to APP. Sindh governor, during a visit to the area early this month, had approved the idea and issued directives for developing it as a cultural village.

The official said the places which lend themselves to the establishment of “”Cultural Village” included the Arts Council of Pakistan having an open air theatre and a modern auditorium, Hindu Gymkhana which now houses the National Academy of Performing Arts, Supreme Court Building, which was originally the Albert Victoria Museum, the National Museum of Pakistan, National Auditorium, Burns Garden, Aiwan-i-Riffat (Fyzee Rahamin Art Gallery).

Across the road and near the Shaheen Complex are Muslim Gymkhana and the Aligarh Old Boys Association.

He said the idea of a “Coocha-e-Saqafat” took shape in 1991 when the Burns Garden was inaugurated by former Karachi Mayor Dr Farooq Sattar.—APP