It is truly an honor for me to be here this evening as the Guest of Honour at the opening of โEchoes,โ a solo show by the very talented Shazia Nadeem โ who, I am proud to say, is not only a versatile artist but also my cousin and the wife of my other first cousin. Shaziaโs creativity extends beyond the canvas. Kreatyourmark Jewellery by Dastaan is also her brainchild, where she works with natural materials like shells and pebbles, beautifully preserving and celebrating our local traditions. Tonight, we are surrounded not only by vivid colors and expressive forms but by the echoes of emotions, memories, and the profound inner world of the artist. Art, in its truest form, is a bridge between the soul of the creator and the hearts of those who witness it. And Shazia Nadeem, through her powerful strokes and masterful palette, has crafted not just paintings but stories โ each one layered with meaning, nostalgia, and reflection. The title โEchoesโ or ุจุงุฒฺฏุดุช so aptly captures this dialogue between past and present, between nature and human experience, between silence and expression. As I walked through the gallery, I felt the presence of something timeless โ an invitation to pause, to feel, and to interpret. In a world that often moves too fast, this exhibition is a gentle reminder of the beauty of stillness and introspection. Before I conclude, my humble advice to all the guests and art lovers here today is: encourage your children and the younger generation to engage with art in any form. It nurtures creativity, patience, and a deeper connection with the world around them. I would also like to commend Port Grand and Art Lane Gallery for creating such a vibrant platform for artists to thrive. It is spaces like these that nurture creativity, inspire dialogue, and elevate our cultural narrative. To Shazia Nadeem โ may your brush continue to echo across canvases, and may your work inspire many more hearts for years to come. Your journey as an artist is a gift โ to this city, to our culture, and to all of us privileged enough to witness it. Thank you all once again for this honor. I wish the exhibition immense success! Allah Hafiz and Pakistan Zindabad!