ISLAMABAD: Due to the ongoing sit-ins in the capital, activities at the National Council of the Arts (PNCA) in connection with the Independence Day celebrations have been direly affected.

The consecutive 16-day sit-ins of PTI and PAT, led by Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri have halted cultural activities.

The government had announced month-long celebrations this year, which are being held in other cities of the country except Islamabad. However instead of cancelling the events, the PNCA has postponed them till the situation normalises.

The festivities scheduled by PNCA included movie screening, cultural and puppet shows, art exhibitions, competitions and stage plays.

An official at the PNCA told this agency on Friday that the entire country was concerned with the uncertain situation in the city and even if we organised any programme, people would not come due to security risks and blockade of roads.

He said: “Programmes arranged by the PNCA are likely to resume once normalcy returns.”

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2014