KARACHI: Renowned cultural platform Shan-e-Pakistan marked its 10th anniversary with the establishment of the SEPMA Music Academy, a new initiative offering free, high-quality music education for visually impaired and differently-abled individuals.
The milestone celebration began with a grand media meetup and red-carpet reception attended by prominent figures including Ali Khan, Nadera Panjwani, Irfan Pardesi, Javed Iqbal, and other leading personalities from Karachi’s art, media, and social sectors.
The event commenced with welcome remarks by Shehnaz Ramzi, who has been associated with Shan-e-Pakistan since its inception. She highlighted the journey of SEPMA’s achievements and outlined future goals. A short musical presentation by SEPMA followed, leading into a captivating performance directed and produced by Huma Haji Zakir Pardesi, titled “The World is Different, but Emotions are the Same.”
A standout moment of the evening was “We Sense”, a performance by students of the SEPMA Academy, also directed and produced by Huma Zakir Pardesi. The act, which had been in preparation for weeks, showcased remarkable talent and emotional depth. SEPMA Academy expressed gratitude to Fragrance Lab for its support in this project.
The event featured a thought-provoking hot seat session titled “The World is Blind,” featuring Nadera Panjwani (President, IDA Rieu) and Irfan Pardesi (Co-founder, SEPMA Academy), moderated by Ali Khan. During the discussion, actor Ali Khan shared the inspiring journey of his niece, who lost her sight at age nine yet went on to become a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist.
In another highlight session, Aimen (an MBBS student at Dow University) and Yumni Ikram engaged in a dialogue on empowering women with disabilities through inclusion. The session was hosted by Shehnaz Ramzi.
MoU Signing and Student Performances
Representatives of SEPMA and IDA Rieu signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance accessibility and provide further facilities to visually impaired students at the academy. Students from both institutions later presented two moving musical performances, earning heartfelt applause from the audience.
Speaking on the occasion, Huma Haji Zakir Pardesi stated: “SEPMA 2025 represents a new vision — one focused on global musical collaboration, harmony, and inclusion. This year, we’re proud to create a platform where visually impaired singers can refine and share their talents with the world. Together, let’s build a new culture of hope and inclusion.”
The ceremony concluded with a Q&A session and closing remarks by Irfan Pardesi.
