APC Karachi's 26-Day "Awami Theatre festival" concluded with grand closing ceremony

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Feb, 2026) Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi concluded its 26-day “Awami Theatre Festival 2026” with a grand closing ceremony held at Auditorium II, A large number of artists, cultural personalities, and theatre enthusiasts attended the event.

Provincial Labour, Human Resources and Social Security Minister Saeed Ghani, graced the ceremony as chief guest.

President Arts Council, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, and Chairman Drama Committee, Shahzad Raza Naqvi, were also present on the occasion.

During the ceremony, Saeed Ghani and Muhammad Ahmed Shah distributed shields, certificates, and cheques among the directors who participated in the festival. The festival, which began on January 22, featured a total of 30 plays performed in multiple languages including urdu, Punjabi, Memoni, Balochi, Saraiki, and Sindhi. The event showcased the rich cultural diversity of Pakistan’s theatrical landscape.

Addressing the audience, Saeed Ghani congratulated Muhammad Ahmed Shah and his team for the successful organization of the festival.

Recalling the past, he said there was a time when the Arts Council witnessed little activity and minimal member participation. Today, however, it stands as an internationally acknowledged cultural institution. He further stated that the government alone couldn’t build institutions of this caliber; it requires vision, dedication, and consistent hard work. He added that Muhammad Ahmed Shah’s passion for introducing new and positive initiatives forms the foundation of the Council’s continued success.

In his remarks, Muhammad Ahmed Shah expressed his desire for the younger generation to remain consistently engaged with theatre and carry forward this tradition. He said the Arts Council serves as a platform for children, youth, and senior artists alike, and aims to ensure that theatre activities continue throughout the year rather than being limited to a few days.