ISLAMABAD – Senate Sanding Committee on Culture and Tourism here on Tuesday strongly demanded of the ministry to devise a code of ethics for artists going abroad for performance. The committee, while appreciating the ongoing Iranian exhibition week at Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA), observed that the ministry and PNCA were playing a commendable role in promoting friendly relations between Pakistan and other countries.
Senator Nilofar Bakhtiar, while presiding, directed the secretary culture to write a letter to Iranian cultural attache in Pakistan to make arrangements so that talented Pakistani artists can be sent to Iran. Secretary Culture Moin-ul-Islam Bukhari assured that he will contact the ambassador of Iran in this regard. The committee also recommended that the matter should also be taken up with India to make arrangements for training of Pakistani artisans.
The committee unanimously directed the Ministry of Culture to improve the payment structure of the artist and also called upon the prime minister to allocate land/plots for the artists. The secretary also informed that the ministry was supporting over 200 artists through Artists Welfare Fund by giving them Rs 4000 per month. At this point the committee directed the ministry that the minimum fund in this regard should be Rs 7000.
Farzana Khan, secretary committee, pointed out that art work was being done in Haala and Multan . However, the artists of the area lack facilities and support to promote their work effectively. She directed that the ministry should make arrangements to support the artists. The secretary culture said special workshops will be arranged at Lok Virsa to promote these artists. Senator Abdul Khaliq Pirzada suggested that the diploma level courses should also be initiated for them.
Senator Rehana Yahya Baloch said that Pakistan should promote the work of semi precious stone on furniture by getting training from Turkish and Indian governments. The chairperson recommended that shining students from the National college of Arts should be sent to Iran , Turkey and India during summer vacation to do courses there. The chairperson directed the ministry to establish a task force with a mandate to chalk out future course of action and guideline in the field of culture with particular reference to the training of poor artist and marketing their products.
Tauqir Nasir, director general PNCA, informed the committee that the PNCA was actively working in Kachi Abadi and was promoting indigenous culture especially in Multan , Kot Addu, Rajan Pur, Thata, Dera Allah yaar, Sibi and Dera Murad Jamali.
