University of Karachi seminar urges united efforts to uplift metropolis
Karachi can be referred to as Mini Pakistan because it accommodates people from all over the country; residents of this mega city should contribute to the promotion of peace, fraternity, literature, traditional values and clean environment of the city.
These views were expressed at a seminar titled Karachi Kay Rang at the Arts Auditorium of the University of Karachi (KU).
Speakers included KU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, city Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil, Dr Fatima Hasan, Dr Nomanul Haq, Dr Mehmood Ghaznavi and Dr Rafi Taj who also had organised the seminar.
In the second session, Provincial Minister for Industry Rauf Siddiqui said that Karachi contributes a very large share of revenue to the Government of Pakistan.
Earlier, it was reiterated that the present city Nazim, Mustafa Kamal, has given the city a new and modern form and this fact has been widely acknowledged not only across Pakistan but has also been appreciated at international forums.
Minister for Sports, Dr Muhammad Ali Shah said that Karachi carries the pride of having produced great leaders such as Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, personalities such Dr A.Q Khan, and players such as Jehangir Khan, Javed Miandad, and Islahuddin. Dr Fahmida Riaz spoke about the role of Radio Pakistan in raising the literary life of the city. She said that renowned intellectuals such as Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Shoukat Thanvi, and Quratul Ain Haider had also been residents of this city.
In this presidential address, Prof. Dr Abuzar Wajidi said that through various periods of time, the city changed its name from Currachee to Kurrachee, Caranjee, Kolachi Jo Goth, and then to its present name, and just like its names, its traditions have also kept changing.
With its population was merely 13,000 in 1813, the city now accommodates over 160 million people from diversified cultures, languages and traditions, he said.
Arts Council Karachi President Saifur Rehman recalled his memories of the initial days of countrys independence, when Karachi was the beauty queen of Asia. Renowned actor and music composer, Arshad Mehmood, said that among several other honours that Karachi possessed, one was the establishment of the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA). This academy aimed at promoting the real talent in the fields of acting, music and singing.
Renowned poet, Dr Fatima Hassan, cited a beautiful Urdu poem and expressed her affection and sincerity for the city of Karachi. Former cricketer, Shoaib Muhammad, said that consistency and self-confidence was the way to growth and victory.
