KARACHI, Dec 12: Addressing the gathering, Pervez Musharraf said that it was a unique privilege to be among the artiste community. He said that Kara showcased the finest work in the art of film-making and admitted that in the past, governments had not encouraged films. But from now on and in the future, the art would enjoy patronage, he said, adding that there is a need to promote the soft image of Pakistan through culture, sports and tourism.

He recalled the recently concluded Rafi Peer Theatre Festival in Lahore and said that it brought together the cultures of east and west by having an all-girl Norwegian band perform with Goonga Saeen, which was both wonderful and beautiful.

He also said that there was no conflict with religion and the only conflict was in minds. He added that in the past the pendulum had been swung to the extreme and should now be brought back to the centre. While there was a need to promote the performing arts, balance was also a must, he added. He referred to the opening of the National Academy of the Performing Arts, the setting up of a new auditorium in the premises of the Arts Council and the weekly holding of the Koocha-i-Saqafat in Karachi, along with the opening up of a new campus of the National College of Arts in Rawalpindi. He said that these were the areas where institutional encouragement had come from the government. He cited the example of the heritage museum that had recently opened in Islamabad.

“I would like to promote culture, performing arts and our heritage. There is no lack of talent in Pakistan, only the lack of talent to develop talent. Those that do come up do so on their own and with on-the-job training. What we need is to have institutions to develop talent,” he said. He wished Kara success and support in future and said that it had become a landmark in the calendar of film festivals the world over. In this context, he referred to his son-in-law, Asim Reza, also associated with productions and considered a director of repute. He hoped that the local film industry would see a revival.

The president also said that it was a pleasure for him to be in the company of artistes and expressed his gratitude to those from abroad. He expressed his desire to encourage this kind of interaction with the world and India.