Arts Council Karachi Holds Condolence Reference for Senior Member Sultan Khalil

By: Aziz Khatri

 Karachi: The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi organized a condolence reference in memory of its senior member Sultan Khalil at its ground floor lobby, attended by a large number of individuals from literary, social, and cultural circles, along with his family members.

The ceremony commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Speaking on the occasion, President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmed Shah described Sultan Khalil as an integral part of the Arts Council family, saying, “We are all members of this family.” He paid tribute to his valuable contributions, noting that Sultan Khalil played a key role in organizing the book fair of the World Urdu Conference for many years with great dedication. He also highlighted his initiative of establishing a street library in collaboration with the Commissioner Karachi, terming it a remarkable achievement.

Several speakers shared their memories and paid heartfelt tributes to the late Sultan Khalil. Asjad Bukhari remembered him as a hopeful and positive-minded individual, while Ali Hassan Sajid described him as a person who always spread love and helped others, calling him a true lover of books.

Dr Ayub Sheikh said that individuals like Sultan Khalil are rare, adding that his services to the Arts Council and the city were immense. Kashif Garami noted that Sultan Khalil’s association with the Arts Council spanned two generations and described him as a role model in today’s era.

Iqbal Latif called him a “king of sincerity and love,” stating that his loss is deeply felt and he will always be remembered. His daughter, Syeda Maryam Sultan, paid an emotional tribute, saying her father was a guiding figure whose memory will remain with them forever.

Other speakers, including Rizwan Siddiqui, Khurshid Shah, Mazhar, Owais Jameel Ansari, Ali Hassan, Shahid Mohiuddin, and Tabeer Aaghai also expressed their grief, describing Sultan Khalil as a symbol of kindness, sincerity, and compassion whose absence will be deeply felt.

At the conclusion of the condolence reference, Shakeel Khan led the Fateha for the departed soul, while Nauman Khan performed the duties of moderator.

The gathering collectively prayed for the eternal peace of Sultan Khalil and acknowledged his lifelong contributions to literature, culture, and society.