LAHORE – The Punjab Assembly (PA) on Tuesday discussed obscenity and vulgarity in name of stage dramas held at various theaters of the province and members of the provincial assembly (MPA) urged authorities concerned to take serious notice of immoral scripts and semi-nude dances being staged in theatres. Members of both the treasury and opposition benches expressed their concerns during the question-hour session of the 22nd Punjab Assembly session held under Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Iqbal’s chair. The house proceedings started around one hour and 45 minute late than the schedule time.
Treasury member Tahir Mahmood Hundali asked the Punjab culture minister that who finally approved script of stage dramas on which Punjab Culture Minister Tanvirul Islam Rana said that a committee of intellectuals approved the script.
The MPA challenged the minister when he said that intellectuals such as renowned poet Amjad Islam Amjad are part of the committee that approved script of stage dramas. He said, “I can challenge that people such as Amjad Islam Amjad can never ever approve such rubbish and rotten stuff”. He also drew attention of the house over vulgarity, obscenity and double meaning sentences commonly used during stage dramas saying that it seemed that there was no authority to check such immoral and unethical language. But the minister informed the House that this is the duty of the home department to deal with such issues.
The minister said that he would personally look into the issue and direct authorities concerned to take practical steps for addressing the issue. But the minister’s reply could not satisfy Hundali and he said that true efforts with full dedication were needed to resolve such issues.
The culture minister while responding to another question about contract of the Shalimar Gardens canteen said that the Punjab government always made its best efforts to ensure quality service to all visitors. He also assured the House that all issues pointed out in the proceedings would be solved. Replying to another question about promotion of art and culture at Multan, Rana said that the Punjab government is utilising its resources for promotion of art and culture. When the minister’s attention was drawn over deteriorating cultural activities at Multan, he said that steps are being taken for improvement.
The minister, while responding to another question, informed the House that there no garden falls under jurisdiction of the Punjab Archeology Department due to which funds were not being used on them. Replying to another question, the minister said that security issues had also affected art and cultural activities in the province.
Treasury member Naseer Ahmad put the minister in trouble by asking him that what steps have been taken so far for promotion of Punjab language. He asked the minister that whether a Punjabi magazine is available in the Punjab Assembly library? Rana earlier said yes but when the treasury member informed the house that it had never been provided to the Punjab Assembly Library, the minister instead of feeling embarrassed said that he would ensure its provision on a regular basis. The members gave a tough time to the minister but Rana succeeded in handling them.
