Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday sought help from actors and writers in fighting militancy, extremism and terrorism and help those who had extremist views to lead a normal and balanced life. He expressed these views while addressing intellectuals, artistes, academia and media persons at an event held as part of ‘Dialogue with the Nation’ to formulate a national policy to counter the growing trend of intolerance and to enhance the level of understanding among the masses.
Pledge: Eminent artistes and playwrights vowed to support the government in ridding the society of extremism, terrorism and making it more tolerant. Prime Minister Gilani called the artistes an asset and said the government was seeking their views to help devise a policy to project Pakistan’s soft image. He said terrorism was the major issue and the military alone could not fight terrorists without the support of the common man. He said all political forces were united at the same platform when military operations were launched in Swat and Malakand. Gilani said the nation had witnessed the success of the operation and thanked the artistes who had come to the fore to help the 2.9 million displaced persons of the area to return to their homes. He directed Information Minister and Cabinet Secretary Nargis Sethi to review and finalise suggestions floated by the participants of the meeting.
Demands: The audience called for revival of NAFDEC and classical music channel on Pakistan Television, a check on use of Indian content in advertisements, films and dramas, promotion of youth parliament, possibility of setting up of a film studio, industrial status for film and television and setting up of theatres all over the country. The meeting also took note of the plight of the artiste community, particularly those who were leading a retired life. Gilani said he would make an announcement in his address to the nation on August 14, adding that a decision about the funding and the mode would be made in consultation with the provincial governments. Gilani also said the Pakistani missions be directed to make the cultural attaches productive and effective and to seek guidance from artistes, writers and intellectuals in promoting national cultural activities abroad.