regional exhibition by Shakir Ali Museum of Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) opened at Alhamra Art Centre, The Mall on Saturday.

It was a well-attended exhibition featuring around 100 artworks by over a 100 artists. The exhibition was inaugurated by Pakistan PNCA Director General Jamal Shah who was flanked by senior artists such as Mian Ejazul Hassan, cartoonist Javed Iqbal, ceramist Michu Salahuddin, Ghulam Mustafa and Sardar Assef Ahmed Ali.

At the outset of the inauguration, Jamal Shah said regional exhibitions would ultimately lead to a national exhibition at Islamabad. He said in the past the PNCA used to hold regional exhibitions and selected worl(s from there were displayed at the national exhibition. Two regional exhibitions at Karachi and Lahore had been held and would be opened in Quetta and Peshawar as well. He said Pakistan had immense cultural diver-sity that was depicted by artists through their works.

Veteran artist Ejazul Hassan said the council should hold a national exhibition every two years.

Every artist had his/her own approach and audience, and quality art-work should be displayed at federal level.

Shal(ir Ali Museum Director Amna Pataudi presented certificates to residency programme students and the artists who participated in the centenary events of Shakir Ali inMarch. The exhibition will remain open for 10 days.

I he monthly concert of All Pakistan Music Conference will be held at Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture on Sept 1. The singers scheduled to perform include Shafgat Salamat Ali Khan, Faizan Ali Khan and Nadir Ali Khan. Jaffar Hussain will accompany them on clarinet, Zohaib Hassan sarangi, Kashif Ali Khani tabla, Khayrat Ali harmonium and Sabita Waqas taanpura.

ashion designer Saira Rizwan recently launched herlatest collection of chiffon dresses at a restaurant. The event was attended by a number of personalities from the world of fashion.

The outfits are created using ornamental work, threaded embroidery and hand embellishment. The collection consists of 10 designs in a range ofcolour pallete.

I he Pakistani embassy in Rome in collaboration with the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) organised a fashion show, titled Journey, on July 19 showcasing over 50 garments designed by 20 students, according to a statement issued by the institute.

The evening was inaugurated by Ambassador Elisabetta Belloni, secretary general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Italy.

The designers had drawn inspiration from a multitude of factors, including heritage, culture and the current market trends. The main themes included family, time management, tribal customs, techno and a fusion between east and west.

Inspiration also came from gypsies, midgets, puppets and from beauty, ugliness, preventing deterioration and black magic.

The event was attended by ambassadors, diplomats, senior government functionaries, politicians, businessmen, members of UN agencies and elite of the city.