Pakistani Artists Shine Globally: UAE Ambassador Advocates for Art Exchange Programs Between Pakistan and UAE

On the 10th day of the ongoing “World Culture Festival Karachi,” organized by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, an art exhibition titled “The Legacy: Vision of the Old Masters & Contemporary Painters of Pakistan” took place at the Ahmed Parvez Art Gallery. The exhibition was officially opened by UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al Zaabi, Provincial Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Archives Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, and President of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah. UAE’s Consul General in Karachi, Bakheet Atiq Al Rumaithi, was also in attendance.

UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al Zaabi expressed his delight at being part of the exhibition, praising the efforts of Muhammad Ahmed Shah and Zulfiqar Shah in organizing the festival. He highlighted the festival’s significance, with artists from 40 countries participating, noting that art serves as a universal language. He also commended Pakistani artists, mentioning their participation in the Dubai Art Festival, and emphasized the potential for cultural exchanges between Pakistani and Emirati artists. He thanked the media for promoting the event internationally and shared his hope for future collaborations between artists from both nations.

Provincial Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah welcomed the UAE Ambassador, stating that his presence was an honor. He also mentioned plans to arrange visits to historical sites in Karachi, noting that the World Culture Festival was helping to enhance Pakistan’s global image. Shah emphasized the strong bond between Pakistan and the UAE, expressing hope for relaxed visa policies for Pakistani travelers to Dubai. He also hinted at plans for a cultural festival in Dubai, expressing gratitude for the UAE’s support during crises like floods in Pakistan.

Muhammad Ahmed Shah, President of the Arts Council, said it was a privilege to have the UAE Ambassador at the festival, and he shared how the idea for the event stemmed from the 2017 World Culture Summit. He acknowledged the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and the UAE and highlighted the support from the Sindh government in organizing the festival.

The exhibition featured 29 masterpieces from Pakistan’s celebrated art masters alongside 32 works by emerging artists, including prominent names such as Anwar Maqsood, Farrukh Shehab, Shehzad Baloch, Laila Shahzada, Zubaida Agha, Abdul Rehman Chughtai, and many others. In closing, Muhammad Ahmed Shah presented a painting by the renowned artist and intellectual Anwar Maqsood to UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al Zaabi as a gesture of goodwill.

The exhibition will remain open until October 15, 2024.

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