Sukkur Arts Council is a distinguished literary, cultural, and artistic institution established in the historic city of Sukkur, Sindh, with the objective of promoting fine arts, literature, music, theatre, culture, and creativity. The Council was formally inaugurated on 26 December 2022 by Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Provincial Minister for Education and Culture, Government of Sindh. The inauguration ceremony was graced by several distinguished guests, including Owais Ahmed Shah, Provincial Minister; Barrister Muhammad Arsalan Sheikh, Mayor of Sukkur; and Qasim Soomro, Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA).

The establishment of Sukkur Arts Council was the realization of a long-cherished vision shared by the literary, artistic, musical, and academic community of Sukkur. Prominent cultural figures—including Saeed Bazmi, Adal Soomro, Ayaz Gul, Akhtar Dargahi, Shoukat Rahi, and Mumtaz Bukhari—worked tirelessly for nearly six years to transform this vision into reality. During this period, numerous meetings were held with the divisional and district administrations. Despite their persistent efforts, the establishment of the Council faced several obstacles and could not initially be realized.

Towards the end of 2021, Mumtaz Bukhari quietly initiated the registration process. After completing all required documentation and legal formalities in December 2021, an application was submitted on 10 January 2022 to the Provincial Assistant Registrar, Joint Stock Companies, Sukkur Region. Following four months of continuous efforts and repeated visits to government offices in Sukkur and Karachi, Sukkur Arts Council was officially registered on 16 May 2022 under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860, through Notification No. PAR/SUK/139/2022.

In compliance with the requirements introduced under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) regulations, the registration process underwent several security clearance stages. Throughout this period, Abdul Qadeer Ansari provided invaluable assistance to Mumtaz Bukhari in Karachi.

The first interim office-bearers were:

• Mumtaz Bukhari — President
• Abdul Qadeer Ansari — Vice President
• Akhtar Dargahi — General Secretary
• Shoukat Rahi — Joint Secretary
• Azhar Noonari — Treasurer

The Governing Body comprised Badr Ujan, Adal Soomro, Ayaz Gul, and Dr. Mahar Khadim, among others. Altogether, the Council had 18 founding members. Regrettably, one of its members, Advocate Hadi Bhatt, passed away during this period.

Securing a permanent office became the Council’s next major challenge. Consequently, the first two meetings of the Governing Body were held at the residence of Mumtaz Bukhari. During these meetings, Mumtaz Bukhari and Abdul Qadeer Ansari were unanimously authorized to negotiate with the Department of Culture for the allocation of office space and a hall within the Cultural Complex, located near Shalimar Phatak on D.C. Office Road, Sukkur, where cultural programs had traditionally been held.

Growth and Organizational Development

Mumtaz Bukhari subsequently held a series of meetings in Karachi with Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Provincial Minister for Culture, as well as Akbar Laghari, the then Secretary of the Culture Department. Following sustained efforts, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Culture Department, Government of Sindh, and Sukkur Arts Council was signed on 21 September 2022.

The MoU was signed on behalf of Sukkur Arts Council by Mumtaz Ali Shah (Mumtaz Bukhari) and on behalf of the Culture Department by Abdul Aleem Lashari, who was serving as Director General at the time. The agreement was witnessed by Hidayatullah, Deputy Director of the Culture Department, and Abdul Qadeer Ansari, representing Sukkur Arts Council.

Under this agreement, Sukkur Arts Council was officially allocated an auditorium, an art gallery, and office space, providing the institution with a permanent venue for its literary, cultural, and artistic activities.

In October 2022, the Council held its first General Body Meeting at the Cultural Complex. During this meeting, the Memorandum and Constitution of the Council were formally approved. The existing office-bearers and members of the Governing Body were unanimously elected to continue serving until December 2023.

With these developments, Sukkur Arts Council formally embarked upon its institutional journey. A dedicated section of the Cultural Complex was allocated as the Council’s headquarters and was officially inaugurated by Syed Sardar Ali Shah.

The Council’s original Constitution was modelled on that of the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi. Subsequently, amendments were introduced through the prescribed constitutional process to accommodate local needs and circumstances.

The establishment of Sukkur Arts Council has not only inspired artists, poets, writers, and cultural practitioners but has also revitalized the literary and artistic landscape of Sukkur.

During the 2024 elections, Mumtaz Bukhari was unanimously elected President, Akhtar Dargahi as General Secretary, and Azhar Noonari as Treasurer. Adal Soomro was elected Vice President, Shoukat Rahi as Joint Secretary, while Ayaz Gul, Badruddin Ujan, Syed Noor Rizvi, Dr. Mahar Khadim, Abdul Qadeer Ansari, and Abdul Hakeem Zangejo were elected as members of the Governing Body.

The newly elected Governing Body appointed Khalid Banbhan as Press Secretary and Gul Muhammad Junejo as Office Secretary.

To ensure the effective implementation of its programs, the Council established specialized departments. Ayaz Gul, Convener of the Literary Department, oversees literary gatherings, poetry recitals, seminars, and critical discussions. Syed Noor Rizvi, Convener of the Music Department, promotes both music education and musical performance. Akhtar Dargahi and Gul Muhammad Junejo coordinate the Council’s music training courses. Wafa Dildar, Convener of the Drama Department, supervises theatrical activities. The Fine Arts Department, headed by Ghulam Akbar Solangi in collaboration with Ashraf Rahi, organizes exhibitions, workshops, and training programs in painting, drawing, and other visual arts. Regular classes in all these disciplines continue throughout the year.

Facilities and Activities

Sukkur Arts Council is situated within the Culture Department Building near Shalimar Phatak, Sukkur. Equipped with modern facilities, the institution houses:

• Seengar Ali Saleem Auditorium
• Rahimdad Khan Molai Sheedai Library (managed by the Culture Department)
• Tanveer Abbasi Hall
• Madam Musarrat Mirza Art Gallery
• Dr. Mastoor Bukhari Arts & Heritage Hall
• Conference Hall
• Music Theory Hall
• Music Practical Hall

These venues regularly host literary, cultural, artistic, and educational events. Organized training programmes are conducted in music, the Sindhi language (under the Sindhi Language Authority), and fine arts. The Council has emerged as a vibrant centre of learning, creativity, and cultural expression, providing inspiration and opportunities for young artists, writers, and performers.

Achievements and Contributions

Within a remarkably short period, Sukkur Arts Council has made a significant contribution to the revival and promotion of literary, theatrical, musical, artistic, cultural, and academic activities in Sukkur. While preserving cherished traditions, the Council has also introduced innovative programs that have enriched the city’s cultural landscape.

Each year, the Council commemorates the birth anniversary of the renowned Sindhi poet Sheikh Ayaz through a variety of literary and cultural programs. It also organizes annual tribute events in honour of eminent personalities associated with Sukkur, including distinguished writers Rasheed Bhatti and Molai Sheedai, as well as the celebrated singer Seengar Ali Saleem.

The Council regularly recognizes the contributions of both living and deceased poets, writers, researchers, artists, musicians, painters, actors, and cultural personalities through commemorative events, lectures, exhibitions, and awards.

Among its notable initiatives are programs celebrating Sindh’s cultural identity through traditional Geech performances, exhibitions showcasing the artistic talents of prison inmates, and an extensive lecture series covering all the Surs of the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.

Demonstrating its commitment to innovation, the Council organized a three-day national conference entitled “Art in the World of Digitalization” in November 2024. Widely regarded as the first event of its kind in Pakistan, the program successfully explored the relationship between art, culture, and emerging digital technologies.

The Council’s activities receive regular coverage in print, electronic, and digital media. It also maintains an official website, YouTube channel, and Facebook page, enabling broader public engagement and ensuring greater accessibility to its programs and initiatives.