KARACHI: The closing ceremony of the Defence Day Commissioner Karachi Inter-Collegiate Painting Competition was held through the joint collaboration of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi and the Directorate of Colleges Karachi Region. Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi was the chief guest, while President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah attended the ceremony as a special guest.
Director Sports Ghulam Muhammad Khan and Assistant Commissioner (General) Waqas Abbasi played an important role in managing the event. The ceremony featured live art painting by students who participated in the inter-collegiate painting competition. The students securing first, second and third positions in the final competition were presented with cash prizes along with shields. Representatives of educational institutions, teachers, students and personalities associated with the arts also attended the ceremony in large numbers. The theme of the painting competition was based on Defence Day of Pakistan, through which students expressed their love for the country, national spirit and resolve to defend the motherland through their artwork.
Speaking on the occasion, President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah said that drawing is the fundamental element of painting, and the children present at the event had demonstrated remarkable skill and creativity through their drawings. He said that if children wish to learn art, they should be provided with proper training, and art should also be introduced as a formal subject. He congratulated Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi for organising the impressive competition and said that children from across Karachi had participated in it. He said it was particularly encouraging that everyone who viewed the children’s work recognised the immense talent within them. The children possess great potential, and what they need is proper guidance and appropriate training to develop their abilities.
Muhammad Ahmed Shah said that the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi would extend its full cooperation in further refining the children’s work and promoting their artistic abilities. He said that the Commissioner Karachi had also requested the Arts Council to organise a workshop for children. “I announce here that the Arts Council is ready to provide training to the shortlisted students. We want these children to receive proper training in art so that their abilities can be further developed and brought to the forefront,” he added. He said that if a major event was organised next year in connection with August 14, another painting competition would also be held on the occasion, adding that the Arts Council was ready to extend every possible support. “August 14 is the most important day for us; it is the day of Pakistan’s independence, and on this day we should also showcase the abilities of our children. God willing, we will see much more talent emerging, and we will continue to support these children in their training and further development,” he said.
The President Arts Council said that the organisation also has a major centre in New Karachi as well as another centre in Gulistan-e-Johar. Therefore, it is not necessary for all children to come to a single location. The Arts Council has centres in different areas where children can receive proper training in art and other disciplines. He said the Council’s efforts were aimed at providing talented children from every part of Karachi with opportunities to come forward and giving them an appropriate platform to develop their talent.
“These children are our future. If we recognise their abilities today and provide them with training and opportunities, these very children will make Pakistan proud tomorrow,” he added. Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi, addressing the ceremony, said that the Director of Colleges had approached him with the suggestion that an event should be organised in connection with Defence Day. “I contacted President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah, and he did not disappoint me. From organising today’s event to its publicity, Ahmed Shah took complete responsibility,” he said. He said that another event would also be organised on December 25.
If the cooperation of the Arts Council continued in the same manner, similar competitions would also be organised at the school level. He said that the participation of 128 colleges from Karachi was a significant achievement, and taking part in the competition was a unique experience for students from each college. Syed Hassan Naqvi said that they would not limit recognition to students securing the first three positions, but would ensure that every child who participated in the competition received something in appreciation. He said that the nation was united and prepared for every form of defence. “The Pakistan Armed Forces have established their mettle across the world by defeating the enemy.
Our armed forces have proved that Pakistan possesses the full capability to defend itself,” he said. Addressing the students, he urged them to prove themselves through their abilities and bring pride to Pakistan at the global level. He said that the students had conveyed the message of Defence Day in a beautiful manner through their individual ideas. By employing their creative abilities, the students highlighted the spirit of Defence Day, national unity and love for the country through their paintings. It may be noted that the painting competitions were initially held at the college level, with students from government boys’ and girls’ colleges across Karachi participating.
The students securing first positions at the college level qualified for the district-level competitions, while at the district level, the first-position holder from each college participated. Following these competitions, students securing first, second and third positions from each district were selected. Students from approximately 128 government colleges of Karachi, including both boys’ and girls’ colleges, participated in the competition. A total of 50 students were selected for the final stage, among whom the final competition was held.
