Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has pledged support for World Culture Festival 2026, saying the event will celebrate the city and welcome international artists.
The Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, will organise the festival’s third edition from October 29 to November 22. Burns Garden will host the opening event, while Baradari at Polo Ground will accommodate some larger programmes.
Wahab spoke to journalists at the Arts Council on Wednesday evening after inspecting both venues. He said art and culture played an important role in a healthy and dignified society.
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“I think the part that the Arts Council has played in putting the city of Karachi on the [world] cultural map must be praised and appreciated. Karachi last year hosted the event. Artists from all over the world came here to perform. It’s a matter of honour for any city if people from all across the globe come to it. It provides an opportunity to that particular city to showcase itself and to portray its positive image.”
The mayor said the festivities would begin on October 29 and offer Karachi an opportunity to welcome visitors.
“It’ll be a moment to celebrate our city. It’ll be a moment to welcome international artists to the city and let them know that Karachi is the city of peace, this province is the province of peace, this country is the country of peace. We will provide all support to the council. I myself will be here with my team alongside the council’s President Ahmed Shah.”
Wahab also encouraged residents to celebrate the performances and visiting artists.
“Let us focus on celebrating our city. Let us celebrate the art that will be happening. I congratulate in advance the council and all the artists who are coming to Karachi.”
Responding to a question, he supported opening public spaces that previously remained closed.
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“With the help of the council, recently we held a big qawwali event at Burns Garden. This time around, we are arranging programmes at Burns Garden and Baradari. I want the visitors to the festival to see all the big public spaces and heritage properties in Karachi.”
Earlier, Arts Council President Ahmed Shah said his team had coordinated with the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation for a month.
“He [Wahab] is a very dynamic mayor. The festival is the biggest in the world. The province of Sindh has taken ownership of the event. The chief minister of Sindh takes personal interest in it. I wanted to thank the mayor for visiting the venues and extending his support. The opening event will take place at Burns Garden,” he said.
The Arts Council’s official festival page confirms the dates and highlights music, dance and international cultural exchange. Organisers previously announced expected participation from around 150 countries, including more than 1,000 international artists and over 500 Pakistani performers.
