World Culture Festival Karachi 2026 preparations reviewed by Mayor
World Culture Festival Karachi 2026 will host international artists across three venues, with Qawwali Night at Burns Garden and a closing ceremony featuring Sajjad Ali at Baradari.
Preparations for the World Culture Festival Karachi 2026 are underway, with Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab and Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi President Muhammad Ahmed Shah reviewing arrangements at the Arts Council, Burns Garden and Baradari at Polo Ground, where events will take place.
Speaking to the media during the visit, Wahab praised the Arts Council for helping establish Karachi as an international cultural destination. He said the festival would welcome artists from around the world and provide an opportunity to showcase the city’s heritage, historical landmarks and public spaces to international audiences.
The mayor also pledged support for local artists, musicians, young people and scholars, saying collaboration with the Arts Council would continue beyond the festival. Digital and traditional billboards across Karachi will promote the event and highlight the city’s cultural identity.
Shah said the Arts Council had been coordinating with the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and relevant government departments for more than a month to prepare the venues and manage arrangements. He added that around 100 young university graduates were working on different aspects of the festival and coordinating with international artists.
The festival will feature a Qawwali Night at Burns Garden, while the closing ceremony at Baradari will include a performance by singer Sajjad Ali. Shah recalled that approximately 50,000 people attended the closing ceremony of the previous festival.
He also acknowledged the involvement of the Sindh chief minister, chief secretary, Karachi commissioner and municipal officials in preparations for the event.
Wahab described the festival as an opportunity to present Karachi and Pakistan to the world through cultural exchange and international artistic participation.
The World Culture Festival Karachi 2026 is expected to bring together artists from different countries while providing a platform for local performers and cultural practitioners. The collaboration between the Arts Council and city authorities is intended to support the festival and strengthen Karachi’s cultural activities beyond the event.
