KPT to host Int’l Public Arts Festival from March 1

During the three-day event, citizens can view the over 100-year-old KPT building, artworks

KARACHI: Karachi Port Trust (KPT) is organising the International Public Arts Festival (IPAF) that will open on March 1. In the three-day event, the people will not only be able to view artworks but also explore the over 100-year-old KPT building.

This was announced at a press conference on Monday by KPT Chairperson Jamil Akhtar, IPAF Chairperson Jameel Yusuf, I Am Karachi President Amin Hashwani, I Am Karachi Executive Director Ambareen Thompson and renowned artist Amin Gulgee.

Akhtar said that KPT was working towards restoring the vibrancy of the metropolis as well as ensuring economic progress and stability in the city. He said that KPT would also be organising Aqua Sports Festival near the deep water port which will be held in the last week of March as part of Pakistan Day celebrations. He added that large scale restoration work was under way on historical sites near the port.

The restoration process in the surrounding areas of Keamari will be completed by July or August, said Akhtar. He added that this project would change the image of Karachi and provide convenience to the people visiting Manora, Baba Bhitt and other islands. KPT is also making efforts to ensure the smooth flow of traffic in the port's surroundings. This area will be made a model for Karachi and for the whole country, he said.



Yousuf said that the trend of removing political and hateful graffiti from the walls of Karachi by painting works of art was gaining momentum. He added that citizens, even those not affiliated with the I Am Karachi movement, were participating in this activity.

He said that once the road between the Customs House and KPT building used to be one of the dirtiest roads where one could come across dead bodies, but now the area had become a spot of cultural mix, where people of different communities sit and roam together.

Hashwani said that music, art, debates and other healthy activities brought positive change in the society's outlook. He added that I Am Karachi was promoting the idea that literary activities and art were not limited to just the noble class, but all the people of the city had a right to them.

Gulgee said that the art pieces will be exhibited in containers and artists from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad will participate in this festival.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20^th, 2019.