KARACHI: The Creative Cities project of the British Council kicked off two years ago in an attempt to introduce interventions in different Pakistani citles, namely Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, and focused on the creative enterprises within them. The same project has further expanded since its genesis and now five second-tier cities have been included in the fold: Hyderabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Gilgit and Multan.

After launching a research report that identities `five Pakistani creative cities that have the potential to become thriving creative economies`, a panel discussion was held at the British Council Library on Friday to discuss some of the findings of the study, and ask stakeholders from the cities of Hyderabad and Quetta to share their perspective on how their respective citles are creatively evolving.

Putting creativity and cultural indus-tries at the centre of local development, and also facilitating international cooperation, Hyderabad and Quetta were the two cities discussed at the panel discussion, with Karachi as an example of successfulinterventions at play.

Durriya Kazi, head of the Visual Studies Department at Karachi University, referred to Karachi as a symbiosis of different cultures; in fact, she explained, the city is not a culture-less city as many accuse it to be. But in her opinion, attributing different cultures to be specific to particular locations is a reductionistconcept.

Isolating culture `If we isolate culture by city, by region, it does not reveal the truth,` she said, giving several examples of artists moving around the country and picking up different cultural and creative influences.

`We should consider the idea of culture and connectivity as a reality.It`s not about highlighting one or the other city. Also, isolating culture as only a culture for the economy is doing a disservice.

One of the positive aspects of culture in Pakistan, Kazi elaborated, is that it is integrated in our lives, such as the mazar, the truck, music and even weddings.

Creative Cities in Pakistan also took into consideration international programmes and interventions from countries like Costa Rica and South Korea to adapt to Pakistani cities and after extensive research six possible interventions were shortlisted: policy dialogue on sustainable tourism and protecting and promoting historical urban heritage sites; crafts skill development; fashion and design festivals; capacity building in digital media; development of music centres; and programmes for cultural leadership and/or arts management.

In Hyderabad, the research suggests, all six interventions can be implemente d.Saif Samejo, musician and founder, Lahooti Melo, represented Hyderabad and spoke about the recommendations put forward for the city as well as what he has done overthe yearsforthe creative spirit of Hyderabad. He recounted how he grew up seeing shrines full of musicians and the respect and honour paid to these musicians by the audience.

However, in the past 15 years, he realised that the same level of celebration through music no longer existed. `We missed that celebration and so a few friends came together to form a musical journey called Lahooti.

With regards to Quetta, a slightly different picture emerged. Four interventions were strongly recommended, with mixed reactions especially about the viability of the intervention of introducing fashion and design festivals.

More than international visibility, the report suggests that `it is important to make Quetta`s people and culture visible in Pakistan.Wassema Talat, chairperson, Department of Fine Arts, SBK Women`s University Balochistan, disagreed with the belief that Quetta is among the least developed cities with regards to cultural and creativeinterventions.

`It is a remote area and as most peopie are not well aware of its market, due to its geographical, religious and political framework, so its rich culture does not reach a wider audience. Culture in Balochistan is totally a part of the lives of the people living there.So such creative activities are done regularly.

However, the artisans and craftsmen, especially the women, are not in the limelight.

Moderated by Maryam Rab, director research and monitoring unit, British Council, the panel discussion was successful in initiating dialogue between different stakeholders hailing from different Pakistani cities and came up with ways on how creative industries can give rise to feasible income opportunities.