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The third edition of the World Culture Festival (WFC 2026), organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, aims to be all inclusive and pluralistic.

This was said by the council’s President Ahmed Shah at a press conference on Thursday evening on the occasion of the soft launch of the event and while addressing journalists and the first batch of international artists who have begun arriving in Karachi to take part in WCF.

Pointing out the expansion of the festival, he said last year he had half a dozen international partners, such as the Goethe Institut and Alliance Francaise, in support of the council; but this year, the number has increased to 72.

Mr Shah said among those who will put their talent on display include Grammy winning musicians and Oscar nominated artists. This year, more than 80 movies, selected out of 6,000, from all over the globe will be screened during the event.

He said the world is faced with all kinds of challenges as conflicts between countries take place. “The festival tries to bridge the world through the power of culture and art, because during the event artists from countries such as America, Russia, Palestine and Iran will be seen in action.”

Mr Shah also mentioned the challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI). He said during the talks arranged for the fine art component of the festival, there’ll be panel discussions on important subjects like the future of creative pursuits in contemporary times.

The other important theme of the festival, he said, is to promote global peace. “Pakistan has played an important role in mediating between the US and Iran, which goes to show Pakistan’s resolve to establish peace in the world.“

He lauded his young team for working day in and day out, some of whom have turned from artists to managers, to make the festival possible. He also talked about the 22 government departments which are supporting the event.

Mr Shah said in 2025 the festival spanned 39 days with participation from 140 countries. This time the event will go on for 25 days with 150 countries taking part in it. “This time around, we became choosy.”

Provincial Culture Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah who was the other speaker first welcomed the artists who had landed in the Sindh capital from abroad and then said there’s no language for art. He added if he was part of a ‘government around the world’ he’d cancel the visa system and allow artists to go anywhere.

The presser was to be followed by a qawwali by Hamza Akram. The festival will formally start on Friday (today).

Originally published in Dawn, October 30th, 2026