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More than 500 Pakistanis and 1,000 artists from 150 countries will participate in this year’s World Culture Festival, being organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan from Oct 29.

Speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday afternoon, Arts Council’s President Ahmed Shah extended his gratitude to the Sindh government and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah for giving their full support to the event.

He said the real problem faced by the world today is that there are wars taking place. “I want to make a claim here: our festival brings together more countries compared to the UN where not many countries sit together, and often stage a walkout. For example, we have a group coming from Ukraine to the festival as well as artists from Russia. Similarly, there is US participation in the event and we also have Iran’s participation. Then two theatre groups from Palestine will perform. Artists from Latin American countries will also be seen in action.”

He said that there will be no tickets for 85 per cent of the programmes, but registration will be required.

Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Asif Haider Shah said, “Two years back, when I became chief secretary, one fine evening Ahmed Shah came to me. In those days, there were security challenges. He talked about the [first] festival. I asked him whether we’d be able to do it. Afterward, we decided to gather courage and do it. This is how it all started. And now beginning from 40 countries, we have crossed the 150 mark. It goes to show that art knows no boundaries.”

Sindh Culture Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah said the festival had projected the soft image of Pakistan to the rest of the world.

Originally published in Dawn, October 8th, 2026