Punjab imposes lifetime ban on stage drama actresses promoting vulgarity

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Web Desk

1 year ago

LAHORE: The provincial government of Punjab has announced a lifetime ban on theatre actresses found involved in obscene performances.

As per the details, Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Zahid Bukhari held a meeting with theatre owners to discuss the ongoing issues and challenges within the sector and during the discussion, it was decided to take strict action against actors and institutions promoting obscenity.

The government has decided to cancel the licenses of theatres that encourage obscenity and has directed the Punjab Arts Council to refrain from obscene performances by promising to obtain formal agreements from theatre owners. The minister said that theatres previously sealed for such violations will be reopened only when these promises are collected.

Azma Zahid Bukhari asserted that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is committed to making theatres family-friendly spaces and stopping the spread of obscene content. He highlighted that the upcoming legislation aims to regulate stage performances and promote plays that tackle social issues and provide constructive guidance to the public.

The decision comes after repeated warnings and notices were issued to theatres in Lahore that failed to comply with rules and regulations, leading to several being closed. This is not the first time that authorities have taken such action. In 2023, the caretaker government of Punjab closed all theatres in Lahore division for persistent violations that included obscene dancing and lewd acts.

Caretaker provincial information minister Aamir Mir had earlier noted that the government was forced to act after repeated warnings were ignored. Now, the provincial administration has taken a tough stance and imposed a lifetime ban on actors involved in such activities.

The Punjab government hopes that these measures will restore the cultural integrity of stage performances and ensure a positive theatre environment for audiences across the province.

Web Desk