Silver screen returns for cars

Murtaza says govt trying to make Karachi a 'cradle of peace'

KARACHI:

Evoking memories from the days of yore, a drive-in cinema has opened its parking spaces for movie lovers of the city.

Speaking at the inauguration, Karachi Administrator and Sindh Government Spokesman Barrister Murtaza Wahab said on Saturday that cultural activities will be started in all the open spaces of Karachi.

"The Sindh government is trying to make Karachi the cradle of peace and prosperity once again," he said. "Films with historical and cultural background will be screened at drive-in cinemas. Such festivals will be held at different places as well," Wahab stated while addressing the function.

A large number of citizens attended the opening ceremony of the cinema. Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that the colors of Karachi are being restored. "Today is a day of happiness for the citizens of Karachi."

Meanwhile, at another event, the Sindh government spokesman said that the parks, gardens, buildings and city council hall of KMC will be used for holding literary conferences and poetry readings. "While learning English, we have forgotten our national language, Urdu," he said while speaking at the Maulvi Abdul Haq Conference organised by Anjuman-e-Taraqqie-Urdu.

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He said that such conferences should be held so that past heroes can be introduced to the new generation. On the occasion, Anjumane-Taraqqi-e-Urdu President Wajid Jamal, former Karachi University Department of Urdu President Dr Shadab Ehsani, eminent Urdu scholars, researchers and others were also present. The administrator said that was a matter of concern that better Urdu is heard and spoken in Lahore than Karachi.

He said that such gatherings should no longer be held in closed rooms, but in large open spaces He said that as of today, the resolutions of the KMC council are written in Urdu and the plaques hanging in the main building of KMC are also in Urdu language.

Wahab said that the Sindh government generously grants to Anjuman-e-Taraqqie-Urdu, which aims to play its full role in the promotion and development of the national language. He said that mother tongue and regional languages have their own importance, but Urdu is the language connecting people.

"If you go to any city in the country, the language that will come in handy is Urdu," he added. He said that Anjuman-e-Taraqqi-e-Urdu is working on the promotion of language using modern arts and for which they deserve tribute.

Urdu is the national language and the Sindh government will extend all possible cooperation for its promotion and development," the administrator said. Dr. Shadab Ehsani said that the first prime minister of Pakistan used to give speeches every month at Jahangir Park in Karachi.

"We wish that the administrator of Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, revives this tradition," said Dr Ehsani. He requested the administrator Karachi to have a dialogue with poets, writers, intellectuals and elders once a month to promote the Urdu language.