A three-day art and crafts exhibition based on artworks by prisoners has concluded at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi. The closing ceremony was held at Ahmed Parvez Art Gallery.
President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmad Shah, IG Jails Ahmed Mustafa, Superintendent Jails Hasan Sohto, former IG Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon, Anwar Maqsood, former provincial minister Saeed Ghani, Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, People’s Senior party leader Taj Haider, actors Sajid Hasan, Nasreen Jalil, imprisoned artistes Muhammad Ejaz, Allah Wadayo and senior officers of the police department were among the well-known political and social figures.
Speaking as the chief guest, President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmad Shah said that in 2007, Nusrat Mangan established an art school in the prison, it is the first prison in Pakistan which is appreciated by all, the food in the prison is not less than the good restaurants in the city. .
He said that Central Jail is a historical jail, where big personalities including Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar, Wali Khan have stayed. This prison should be given the status of a museum.
He said that the cells of Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar and Faiz Ahmed Faiz should be named after them, the jail should have its own museum, those who came out of jail after learning skills are now teaching others, Art Faculty of Arts Council. Will visit the jail every week, it was a great exhibition for three days, we will try our best to take this exhibition all over Pakistan.
Well-known writer and intellectual Anwar Maqsood said that I saw the exhibition. It is a very beautiful work. After many days, I was happy to see a good exhibition. My heart wants to meet these prisoners. All of them have very good calligraphy. Congratulations.
He said that among these prisoners there are many artists who have been sentenced to life imprisonment and some have been sentenced to death, I will request the higher officers to reduce their sentence.
IG Sindh Prisons Syed Anwar Mustafa said that the real effort is to highlight this work.
Superintendent of Jails Hasan Sohto said that I try to return the trusts of the society in a better way.
He said that the prisoners coming to the jail can support their homes. My aim was to tell the world that we send the prisoners back as useful citizens. We are grateful to the President of the Arts Council Muhammad Ahmad Shah for supporting us. .
Senior leader of People’s Party Taj Haider said that this exhibition is a proof that the walls of the prison cannot confine the creative mind of a person, the hope of the nation moves forward, there is hopelessness outside the prison but there is hope inside the prison. Yes, the spirit of moving forward in bad conditions makes a person strong, this exhibition should be taken all over Pakistan so that the people there also know that prisoners are not less than anyone.
Former provincial minister Saeed Ghani said that the prisoners have done a very unique work, I am very happy and surprised that the death row prisoners learned this work while in prison, those who are not in prisons should also learn such art. , our effort has been to train people inside the prison in such a way that they stay away from crime.
Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman said that there is a very beautiful and beautiful exhibition which is fantastic in terms of art. It is surprising that these people are showing such art while living in jail. It is said that people deteriorate in jail, jail should be a place to make a better person. Credit for its success goes to Ahmed Shah and Hasan Sohto who organized this exhibition.
Former IG Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon said that I congratulate the jail administration and the Arts Council for this great initiative. It is also important to show the ideology to the world, society is getting to see a unique face.
Nasreen Jalil said that this is a very high work, it is not appreciated as much as I can imagine the mental pressure in the prison. have worked with sewing and beading in their creations, creating an income stream for the inmates, which can help their families.
He said that the hard work of Ahmed Shah has brought the Arts Council to this place, which is the biggest cultural center of Pakistan. The Pakistan Theater Festival is also being held in the Arts Council, in which people from all over the world are present. Shah proved with his hard work and dedication that if a man wants to do something, he can do it.
Actor Sajid Hasan said that a great work has been seen today, the prisoners have done art work with great skill, this kind of initiative will change the attitudes and thinking of the prisoners, I think that today This will reduce the crime rate.
I congratulate Superintendent Jails Hasan Sohto and Mohammad Ahmad Shah for such a wonderful exhibition, Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi under the leadership of Ahmad Shah is doing great work for the promotion of art and culture.
Prisoner artist Muhammad Ijaz said while talking that I am a life prisoner, I have been in prison since 2014 and I have been doing art work since 2017. Today I am very happy to be among you people. Started with then worked on 3D paintings, because of my teacher I am where I am today, I have no words to describe my condition.
Prisoner artist Allah Wadayo said that while living in prison, he got interested in fine arts and got an opportunity to learn a lot in his hobby, it is a good hobby to spend time in prison.
Finally, President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmad Shah was presented with a certificate of appreciation by the police department while President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmad Shah presented the award to Superintendent Jail Hasan Sohto and Deputy Superintendent and Teacher of Fine Art School of Jail Hasnain Raza, Arts. Asim Naqvi, Art School Coordinator of the Council was also given a certificate.
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