Academy for artists soon: minister

PESHAWAR, May 4: The provincial government would soon set up an academy for artists so that they could explore their hidden talent in a more appropriate manner, said Minister for Information and Culture Mian Iftikhar Hussain here on Wednesday. He was addressing a condolence reference, arranged by Cultural Journalists Forum at Peshawar Press Club to pay tributes to late popular comedian Moen Akhtar and noted Pashto singer Rabia Tabassum. The minister said that Cultural Directorate had been established in the province for the welfare of artists, performers and writers. He added that soon an art academy would also be built for the training of the newcomers and for those who wanted to display their talent in performing and visual arts. He said that Cultural Directorate had already preserved complete computerised bio-data of all artists, writers and poets belonging to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata and further work on collecting data was still on so that proper funds could be allocated for their welfare and training in the best possible manner. Mr Hussain called upon the artists and writers to put in their collective efforts for the promotion of art and culture in the province and help the government found a well-organised and state-of-the-art institution that could symbolise not only a soft image of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but also boost cultural activities in the province.He said the doors of Nishtar Hall were open to artists and performers to arrange any positive cultural activity without any charges. He said that full security would be provided to them. "Any person related to art and culture can display his/her talent in Nishtar Hall where no fee will be charged," he said. Paying tributes to Moen Akhtar, he said that he was a versatile actor, great impersonator, who ruled the hearts and minds of countless people. He said that Rabia Tabassum was a noted singer, who contributed immensely to Pashto music in short span of her career. Prominent TV actors and singers including Najeebullaj Anjum, Ejaz Mir, Gulzar Alam, Gulriaz Tabassum, Ustad Nazir Gul and Tariq Jamal also addressed the gathering. Prof Nasir Ali Syed, Sadiq Akbar, Umar Daraz, Nisar Mohammad Khan, Fakharuddin Durrani, Qazi Jamal Zafar, Agha Zulfi, Zafaruddin Durrani, Rahman Gul, Farhad Ahmed Sajjad Turo, Khalid Khattak and Mushtaq Khan also spoke on the occasion. Later the participants prayed for the departed souls of Moen Akhtar and Rabia Tabassum and showed sympathy with their families.