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The Arts Council of Pakistan will organise the World Culture Festival (2025) from October 30 to December 7 and more than 800 artists from 102 countries will take part in it.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Arts Council President Ahmed Shah said the announcement was supposed to be made four months earlier, but it was delayed due to the conflict between Pakistan and India, activities related to Independence Day celebrations, and the monsoon rains.

He thanked singer Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who was sitting next to him, for taking part in the launch ceremony for the event.

Giving out details of the culture festival, Shah said, “Last year, the event lasted for 38 days and we managed to bring artists from 44 countries to Pakistan. Following the same format, this year, my team and I are bringing participants from 102 countries, from every continent of the world, to Pakistan.

“The festival will begin on October 30. There are 31 African countries to participate in the event, 30 Asian, 26 European and the remaining from the rest of the world. It’s going to be a historical event,” he said.

About last year’s event, he said it was the biggest cultural effort in the 78-year history of the country. “We are grateful to the government of Sindh for giving us all kinds of support.”

Shah said painters and sculptors from 20 countries will put their talent on display at the culture festival. Apart from that, films, along with music, theatre and dance have been added to the programme.

He said Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who has been made brand ambassador for the festival, has proven his credentials all around the globe, so he deserves to be associated with the event. He will perform on the final day of the festival, December 7.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan said he counts himself lucky to be a part of the festival, for which he is thankful to the Sindh government and the Arts Council. Asked to express his opinion about his experience at Sukkur and Hyderabad during Independence Day celebrations, he remarked that such events are necessary; they should be held in every province.

Answering a question on India’s participation in the event, Shah said the council had originally intended to invite Indian artists. At the time, India hadn’t attacked Pakistan. “We believe that a time can come when their artists will perform [here], but for that to happen, the Indian government needs to learn a lesson.”

Originally published in Dawn on August 27, 2025