Karachi Port Trust (KPT) launches the ‘Mangroves Plantation Campaign 2020-21’.

Karachi Port Trust (KPT) adds another leaf to the clean and green initiative of honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan, by starting the ‘mangroves plantation campaign 2020-21’ during an impressive ceremony that held 01^st December 2020 at Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi. This ceremony, which was well attended by all the General Managers, senior and middle management officials of KPT besides media and other guests.

This launch event started off with General Manager Operations Rear Admiral Zaka-ur-Rehman welcoming the guests and in his welcome speech, GM Operations of KPT said; “global change that has taken place to cause 35% reduction in mangroves plantation”. He informed the Chief Guest Chairman KPT Rear Admiral (R) Jamil Akhtar HiIal-e-Imtiaz(M) & Tamgha-e-Bisaalat about safeguarding 1000 hectares mangroves forests falling in the domain of the port through such campaigns in past as a regular feature. Moreover, he shared information about providing lands to World Wildlife Fund (WWF) at Sands Pit for mangroves plantation, Jinnah Naval Base, Pakistan Army Engineering Corp Rahimyar Khan and Pakistan Marine Academy in past for mangrove plantation. He further added and said; “participation of school children has been avoided this time due to Covid-19 pandemic”.

Highlighting on mangroves plantation importance, the Chairman of KPT Rear Admiral (R) Jamil Akhtar has termed it extremely necessary for the ports and port cities, as this will help in avoiding national calamities like Tsunamis, Heat Waves etc and he said; “I would like to announce a full year Mangrove Plantation Campaign 2020-21 under which KPT will plant 100,000 mangroves every quarter”.

While sharing the details of the programme, he informed further that; “mangrove plantation will take place quarter-wise throughout the campaign year and side by side activities like public-awareness campaign outreaching school children in second quarter, conferences and symposia arrangements in third quarter and marine eco-tourism entertainment for local hotels in fourth quarters have been scheduled under this campaign”.

“Your participation in the betterment of natural environment would result in expansion of industrial setup linked with fishing community and trade which ultimately leads to creation of more job opportunities under healthy environment”, the Chairman added.

Later, the chief guest Chairman KPT Rear Admiral (R) Jamil Akhtar performed the mangrove plantation along with selected guests and media to conclude the proceedings of the day.

Karachi gets another public art mural at Keamari courtesy IPAF 2019 and GSA.

International Public Art Festival (IPAF 2019) and General Shipping Agencies (GSA) collaborated to celebrate the inauguration of a unique public art-work by Italian artist Giuseppe Percivati at GSA House, Keamri. Karachi.

This art-work/mural was presented as a tribute to the people of Karachi by the Italian artist Giuseppe Percivati as an initiative of the International Public Art Festival (IPAF 2019).

ABOUT THE EVENT: This project is a part of ‘International Public Art Festival’ (IPAF 2019) which is scheduled to be held in early 2019. Formal proceeding of the event kicked off with the welcome note from Ambareen K. Thompson, Executive Diretor I AM KARACHI. Sameera Raja, member advisory committee for International Public Art Festival (IPAF 2019) who briefly explained about International Public Art Festival (IPAF 2019). Ms Anna Ruffino, Consul General of Italy for Karachi spoke highly about the cultural ties that exist between Pakistan and Italy.

Mr. Amin Hashwani, President of I AM KARACHI spoke on the importance of events like I AM KARACHI and International Public Art Festival and how they help in creating a soft image of Pakistan.

Mr. Iftikhar Ali Shallwani during keynote address welcomed events like I AM KARACHI and International Public Art Festival and the positivity that it brings along with it. Mr. Jameel Yusuf Chairperson IPAF officially declared IPAF open and finally Mr. Mohammad Rajpar Managing Director General Shipping Agencies (GSA) thanked everyone present for attending the inauguration of this unique event.

This project was possible with the collaboration of Consulate General of Italy in Karachi, Karachi Port Trust, I AM Karachi and GSA House. Sponsors for this very unique project were Berger Paint, Emirates and Greenwich University.

ABOUT THE ARTIST: Italian artist, Giuseppe Percivati is a professional street artist whose work spans across the world. Percivati specializes in life-size murals and conceptual street paintings. He created stellar works in several countries. His murals feature in the US, Australia, Portugal, Japan as well our Pakistan.

He has also worked for Karachi Biennale in 2017 and is now working with ‘I AM Karachi’ as a part of the International Public Art Festival scheduled in early 2019.