Karachi:
For more than 35 years, art enthusiasts in Karachi and worldwide have waited for the completion of the Faizi Rahmeen art gallery, a cultural project that was once ambitious that remains unfinished in the heart of the largest city in Pakistan.
According to the details, the Faizi Rahmeen art gallery, located in Mr. Kiyani Road in Karachi, has remained incomplete since the last three decades. The project began during the mandate of the former mayor of MQM, Dr. Farooq Sattar, and in 1992, the construction of a land structure was completed more than three floors. At that time, the estimated cost was RS80 million.
The work progressed quickly until the launch of the “cleaning operation” against the MQM, which led to the dissolution of the elected local government system and stopped the project. In the following era of the administration, no more attention was paid to the end of the gallery.
In 2007 a brief resurgence occurred, but the work remained limited to the installation of glass and floors mosaic panels. Even now, the central civil works of the building are only around 70 percent complete. A scenario and a living room with seats for 1,800 people have been built, but the en -walked and the final work remain unfinished. The key elements such as electrical and mechanical systems, a rotating stage and a professional sound system are still pending.
It is worth noting that the culture, the Department of Recreation and Sports of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), affiliated with the count of the Karachi Arts, the office is on the site. This office was previously the residence of the renowned author Atiya Begum and her husband, the famous artist Faizi Rahmeen.
This legendary couple, dedicated to the promotion of literature, art and music, emigrated to Karachi from India at the request of Quaid-E-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at the time of the Pakistan Foundation. Following their instructions, this plot of land was assigned. Atiya’s house in India was called Awan-E-Riffat, and the Karachi residence retained the same name, which lasts until today.
Before his death, Atiya Begumes donated his house, the adjacent open plot, valuable paintings, garments, rare books and other artifacts to KMC in confidence with the explicit intention of establishing an art gallery on the site. Subsequently, KMC established its Office of Culture, Sports and Recreation in Awan-E-Riffat, along with a small library that houses the collection of books by Atiya and Faizi Rahmeen and some exhibited paintings. The Faizi Rahmeen art gallery is destined to be built in the same plot confident by Atiya Begum.
A superior officer of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the Faizi Rahmeen art gallery remained incomplete due to the lack of political priority given to the arts, culture or recreational activities for citizens.
“Those who are in power focus mainly on the construction of roads, bridges and underground steps; projects that are very visible and offer clear political profits when boosting votes. Just as the infrastructure of the road is essential for the economy and transport, cultural and sports activities are vital for the intellectual and physical development of people project is vital.
Meanwhile, Syed Mehdi Maluf Zaidi, senior director of Culture, Sports and Recreation at KMC, confirmed that the gallery project had stagnated for more than three decades. “Now we require an estimated amount of RS1 billion to complete the project. Our team is preparing to present the proposal of PC-1 to the higher authorities for approval. Meanwhile, we plan to organize an exhibition that shows the paintings, garments and rare artifacts of Atiya and Faizi Rahmeen as soon as possible,” Zaidi said.
