“Hamara Karachi” festival from Jan. 6

Posted by: merakarachi on: April 6, 2007

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KARACHI, Nov 28: Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan Tuesday announced the launch of “Hamara Karachi” festival to be held as an annual feature with expansion of various programme segments to various districts in the interior of Sindh later.

Coinciding with the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of old KMC Building on completion of its 75 years, the Hamara Karachi festival celebrations will formally kick off from January 6 and continue till January 18, 2007.

The festival features were highlighted in detail by the Governor at a crowded press conference along with City Naib Nazim Nasrin Jalil at Governor House. Sindh Advisor for Information Salahuddin Hyder was also present on the occasion.

The Governor referred to fast development taking place in Karachi alongwith improving law and order which resulted in successful holding of mega events, the recent one being Defence Exhibition IDEAS-2006 and said the way this city and rest of the Province was heading towards progress and prosperity has made us to feel the need of holding an event as a regular annual feature and this has been transformed into action with the title of “Hamara Karachi”.

The festival, he said, will spotlight the very bright image of Karachi.

He said that various activities have been planned as part of wide ranging programme of Hamara Karachi festival to be participated by all segments of Karachi’s population.

He said the Festival has been finalized with the completion of a “Thinking Process” with the objective of reviving the culture and history of people of this city through their full participation in the varied programmes.

Addressing the press conference Naib Nazim Nasrin Jalil pointed out that on completion of 75 years of old KMC building, its platinum jubilee will be observed on January 16, 17 and 18 and will from part of the overall programme of Hamara Karachi Festival. She said that President Pervez Musharraf has given his consent to participate in the Festival programme.

Nasrin informed that a registered society, with governor as its patron and consisting of notables. has been formed to monitor the festival activities while a special cell also being setup in old KMC building where people belonging to various walks of life can contact with reference to their participation in different programmes.

She said that main highlights of the festival programmes will include a drama “Azadi Ka Mujrim” to be staged at Khaliqdina Hall for 10 days in the backdrop of trial of Maulana Mohammed Ali Jauhar, the Sea Festival which is being held regularly for the last few years, conversion of Burns Road into a Food street for 15 days, free film shows etc.

Naib Nazim said that various competitions have started among children of government and private schools and those selected in these competitions would take part in the finals during Hamara Karachi celebrations.

In all the Towns, she said, school bands would give perform at important city points and thoroughfares while a grand walk would also be held with public participation besides special programmes for children at Karachi Zoo and a children festival at Old KMC Building.

She made it clear that Hamara Karachi festival is being celebrated by citizens of Karachi and in no way it is a function of any organization, city or provincial governments.

Nasrin Jalil informed that Pakistan Post Office is issuing a commemorative stamp for the occasion. She said that String Band will perform daily for four days and so will be Najam Shiraz giving his group’s performance.

She said the Corps Commander has agreed to hold a polo match in Malir for citizens of Karachi as part of Hamara Karachi festival.

She said that a web site of Hamara Karachi will be ready within few days providing all relevant details of festival programmes.

Governor Dr Ebad explained that various segments of this festival programmes will be carried to interior of Sindh in various districts where events commensturating with the peculiarities of those districts will be held.

He explained that the event is being organised for greater harmony, peace and a conducive environment and in this regard he particularly referred to Koocha-e-Saqafat programme which is still continuing and contributing to these factors.

During Hamara Karachi festival, he said, important buildings would be profusely illuminated while heritage buildings renovated like Kothari Parade and Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim.