KARACHI: City Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Sunday announced that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) would now offer its buildings, parks and open spaces free of charge for educational, literary and cultural programmes.

In a statement he said that these venues would be made available with full support from KMC to facilitate such events.

Speaking on the initiative, he highlighted several KMC-owned locations that could be used for these purposes, including Baradari at Polo Ground, Frere Hall, Khalig Dina Hall, DensoHall, KMC building`s City Council Hall, Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim, Kidney Hill Park and Aziz Bhatti Park, among others.

The mayor emphasised that the aim was to promote cultural and intellectual dialogue by hosting weekly discussions on the city`s development and heritage.

`These sessions will feature distinguished intellectuals, writers, critics and cultural figures who will contribute ideas on how to improve and beautify Karachi,` he said.

`We need to revive the cultural vibrancy of Karachi, a city that once thrived as a centre for knowledge and creativity. By reopening these historically significant KMC buildings and public spaces, we can create venues forart exhibitions, music performances, seminars, conferences and poetry recitals. Artists, musicians, and writers will be given the platform to showcase their work and engage in meaningful dialogue about Karachi`s past, present, and future.

The mayor expressed concern over the diminishing cultural identity of Karachi, stressing the importance of reclaiming the city`s status as a hub for intellectual and artistic activities.

For those interested in organising educational or cultural events at KMC venues, they can contact the Senior Director of Media Management at the KMC office located on the Erst noor of the KMC Building on M.A. Jinnah Road, the mayor added.