Says federal government will provide financial assistance to artists on Punjab model
Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Pervaiz Rashid on Wednesday said the federal government would provide financial assistance to artists in a better and transparent manner.
For the purpose, Pakistan Culture and Arts Foundation Relief Fund (PCAFRF) would be reorganised, he said while briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage.
The minister said, “We will follow the model introduced by the Punjab government to provide financial assistance to the artists. The federal government is committed to work for their welfare.”
The suggestions from the committee members in this regard would be welcomed, he added.
The committee’s meeting was chaired by Marvi Memon.
Pervaiz Rashid said artists in Punjab were satisfied due to friendly policies of the provincial government.
The minister said the objective of the PCAFRF was to provide financial assistance to artists, artisans, musicians, dancers, drama, film, television and radio artists, and those involved in plastic and graphic arts having professional level of excellence. He informed the committee that in the past the federal government had extended financial support to the needy artists on the recommendations of provincial governments. He said the last meeting of the Administrative Committee of Pakistan Culture and Arts Foundation Relief Fund was held on February 24, which approved monthly financial assistance of Rs 5,000 each for 178 artists and artisans, which would be released on quarterly basis.
The minister said presently the artists’ means of income were very limited. He said the federal government now had very limited resources for extending financial assistance to the artists, while the provincial governments, after the passage of National Finance Commission award, had more funds for the purpose. He asked the provincial governments to provide assistance to the artists. He said after the passage of 18th Constitutional Amendment, health department had been devolved to the provinces and now it was the responsibility of provincial governments to provide medical treatment to artists if required. He, however, assured that the Federal Government would extend all possible medical assistance to the artists on the recommendations of chief ministers.
