Artists Protest in Rawalpindi Over Postponement of Drama Festival, Accuse Political Interference
Rawalpindi: Local artists staged a protest outside the Rawalpindi Press Club following the sudden postponement of a much-anticipated drama festival, accusing political figures of interfering in cultural affairs and suppressing artistic expression.
The protest was directed against Shazia Rizwan, the Parliamentary Secretary for Culture in Punjab. The artists demanded an immediate end to what they described as political meddling in the affairs of the Rawalpindi Arts Council.
Senior artist Asma Butt, speaking to The Reporters, revealed that preparations for the drama festival had been underway for the past two months. A scrutiny committee comprising senior artists and theatre professionals had been formed to oversee the festival, and after the approval of the said committee, an official schedule had already been released.
Asma Butt said her play “Khali Stage” was slated to be performed on June 2 at the Rawalpindi Arts Council. However, she claimed that a day earlier, Arts Council officials contacted her, stating that Shazia Rizwan had lodged a complaint to the Minister of Information demanding her play be removed from the lineup.
Also Read: ACE Rawalpindi refuses to provide information under right to information law
“I was asked to post on Facebook that I was unwell and unable to perform. I refused. I told them I would present my play as scheduled with my team, and if I was stopped, I would go public on the matter,” she said. “To avoid the embarrassment, the Arts Council cancelled the entire drama festival.”
Sources indicate that the controversy surrounding the festival has also led to the transfer of Sajjad Hussain, Director of the Rawalpindi Arts Council. Asma Butt has appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to take notice of the incident and ensure protection of cultural institutions from undue influence.
The protest highlights growing concerns among artists in Punjab over the increasing politicization of cultural events and the silencing of voices critical of authorities.
Also Read: CM Punjab helicopter fuel expenditure jumps 220 percent in 2022
