We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens of Pakistan who urge the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to allow Kuch Khaas to maintain its operations in its current location (House 1, Street 1, F-6/3, Main Margalla Road), or provide us with an adequate alternate location.

Kuch Khaas is more than just a space; it is now an important cultural landmark, and as such, it needs to be preserved.

The Capital Development Authority, in its recent crackdown against commercial businesses in private properties, has sent in a notice to Kuch Khaas: a centre for arts, culture and dialogue, which is an established non-profit organization

Since opening its doors to the public in 2010, this cultural centre founded by Shayan ‘Poppy’ Afzal Khan – one of Pakistan’s finest social entrepreneurs, intellectuals, and social activists – has been a breeding ground for the capital city’s finest emerging talents in the field of performing arts; a community centre and a call for action for members of civil society; a sustainable model for the preservation of culture and language.

It houses multiple performance spaces, libraries, classrooms, studios and halls utilized for community service, education, meaningful entertainment and social engagement. Kuch Khaas operations are sustained financially by the revenue generated through its café, The Lime Tree Café. No profits benefit either of the board of directors and are used entirely to manage Kuch Khaas activities.

Since its inception, Poppy’s vision has seen Kuch Khaas blossom into an active, important ingredient in building a progressive, educated and liberal society. Kuch Khaas has especially been vital in honing and shaping today’s youth.

Today, this thriving community centre, which hosts more than 6500 people a month, is under possible threat of relocation or disbandment. We urge the citizens of Pakistan to raise their collective voice and help safeguard Kuch Khaas.

Kuch Khaas in the News:

Express Tribune (Feb 25, 2015) – Over time, Kuch Khaas has become a hub of cultural activity in the city, hosting concerts, recitals, workshops, music and dance classes, storytelling sessions, and farmer’s markets, among other activities.

Friday Times (Feb 27, 2015) – On returning from a two-year stint in Dubai, Poppy put together a glorious proposition – Kuch Khaas, a not-for-profit centre for arts and culture in Islamabad. Within two years it had become the beating heart of what everyone agreed had been a culturally comatose town.

The News (Feb 25, 2015) – What Poppy created became the only comprehensive, vibrant and fully fledged cultural space for the people of Islamabad. Till she was in Islamabad, many civil rights campaigns were organized in her office in Kuch Khaas.

Express Tribune (Jun 30, 2010) - Kuch Khaas is fast gaining popularity and recognition in the capital city for being a community space for meaningful dialogue and creative expression. A not-for-profit social enterprise, it advocates the pursuit of knowledge and civic engagement to slowly bring about “lasting social change in Pakistan.” 

Team interview published in Islamabad Metblogs (Mar 2, 2011) - Kuch Khaas does not prescribe to a formulaic approach in building its community. We are here to mobilize not only the youth but also reaching out to adults in order for them to redefine their notions of everyday life in Islamabad. Kuch Khaas is an idea impacting society physically and theoretically.