The President thanked Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim for giving this building to house the National Academy of Performing Art.
The President spoke in detail about the steps being taken by his government in various fields to highlight Pakistan's cultural heritage and present the country before the rest of the world with its soft image.
On the occasion, the President announced a grant of Rs 10 million for the Academy to begin with and announced that the name of anyone coming forward with contribution of Rs 10 million would be put on the roll of honour.
On his appeal Agha Tajammul Hussain, grandson of Agha Ahmed Hussain who had designed the Hindu Gymkhana building and designing Mohatta Palace also announced Rs 10 million besides Rs 2.5 million each by National Bank and State Life Insurance Corporation and Rs 5000 each by two students of the Academy, Rs 10 million each by the Governor and Chief Minister of Sindh, Sui Southern Gas Company, Rs 0.5 million, OGDC Rs 0.5 million.
An Australian art lover also announced a donation of dollar one million.
The President said that nature has blessed Pakistan which has bounties of talents in every field and what was needed was to encourage them to help build up and present a soft image of Pakistan before the world.
He pointed out that during discussions on this project with Zia Mohyuddin, the pioneering force behind the establishment of this Academy, Islamabad was ruled out as a venue and then there was competition between Lahore and Karachi and finally Karachi was selected for the start of this Academy in the building of Hindu Gymkhana. This building was selected because of its historical and cultural background as well as its beauty and location.
He said efforts of Zia Mohyuddin for the last one-year are coming true today with a plan chalked out for National Academy of Performing Arts with the initiation of a two-year course.
He pointed out that what he meant from soft image of Pakistan is its social and cultural development which comprises three areas - culture, sports and tourism in which we have to work to show to the world.
He announced full support for the Academy's construction plan, conceived by a very reputed architect, to be carried out over the open space available within the Gymkhana building which, he felt, will add more charm to this already charming building.
The President expressed the hope that this Academy will carry forward the genius of Ustad Salamat Ali, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, melody queen Nor Jehan and unmatched Ghazal singer Mehdi Hasan.
In this regard he referred to the development of the peripheral area of Mausoleum of the Quaid-e-Azam by the Army and which today stands as a real great. He said the Marathon race held at Lahore proved a great success and was participated by people from various parts of the world.
The President announced that very soon Pakistan to be a part of the Grand Pre Formula-One which will be launched in Dubai with the participation of 25 countries. He said it will change the standard of Grand Pre in which a standard car is given to the participants of each country.
He said Pakistan does have a driver who is not very well known here. His name is Ali and he lives in California. He has already taken part in Grand Pre and he will drive our car.
He said this car will be handed over to him very soon and he will himself launch this car having green and white Pakistani flag. It will go to England and Ali will drive it.
The President said old Lahore Airport will be developed into an indoor sports complex.