Karachi:
For over 35 years, art enthusiasts in Karachi and all over the world have been waiting for the end of Faizi Rahmeen Art Gallery, a once ambitious cultural project that remains unfinished in the heart of Pakistan’s largest city.
According to details, Faizi Rahmeen Art Gallery, located on Kiyani Road in Karachi, has remained incomplete since the last three decades. The project was initiated during the term of office of former MQM Mayor Dr. Farooq Sattar, and in 1992 the construction of the structure of an Earth Plus-Three-store was completed. At that time, the estimated costs of RS80 million amounted to.
The work went on quickly until the launch of “Operation Clean-Up” against MQM, which led to the dissolution of the chosen local government system and brought the project to stop. In the following era with the administration -headed governance, no further attention was taken of the gallery completion.
A short revival happened in 2007, but the work remained limited to the installation of glass panels and flooring. Even now the central civilian works of the building are only approx. 70 percent complete. A scene and a hall with seating for 1,800 people have been constructed, but polishing and finishing remains unfinished. Key elements such as electric and mechanical systems, a rotating phase and a professional sound system are still awaiting.
It is worth noting that Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC )’s culture, recreation and sports department, affiliated with Karachi Arts Council, Office is on site. This office was formerly residence of acclaimed author Atiya Begum and her husband, the famous artist Faizi Rahmeen.
This legendary couple, devoted to the promotion of literature, art and music, migrated to Karachi from India at the request of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at the time of Pakistan’s founding. After his instructions, this earth plot was assigned to them. Atiya’s home in India was named Awan-e-riffat, and the Karachi residence retained the same name that lasts today.
Before her death, Atiya Begum donated her home, the adjoining open plot, valuable paintings, clothing, rare books and other artifacts to KMC in trust with the explicit intention that an art gallery is established on site. KMC subsequently created its cultural, sports and recreation office at Awan-E-Riffat together with a small library house atiya and Faizi Rahmeen’s collection of books and a few shown paintings. Faizi Rahmeen Art Gallery is intended to be built on the same plot entrusted by Atiya Begum.
A senior officer from Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that Faizi Rahmeen Art Gallery remained incomplete due to lack of political priority given to art, culture or recreational activities for citizens.
“The in power are primarily focused on constructing roads, bridges and underlations; projects that are very visible and offer clear political benefits by increasing the voting banks. Like road infrastructure is essential to the economy and transport, cultural and sporting activities have crucial to the need for intellectual and physical development of individuals. transferred to anyone else some entity, “” noted the official.
Meanwhile, Syed Mehdi Maluf Zaidi, Senior Director of Culture, Sport and Recreation at KMC, confirmed that the gallery project had been stopped for over three decades. “We are now demanding an estimated amount of RS1 billion to end the project. Our team is preparing to submit the PC-1 proposal to the senior authorities for approval. Meanwhile, we plan to arrange an exhibition showing paintings, clothing and rare artifacts from Atiya Begum and Faizi Rahmeen as soon as possible.”
