LAHORE: Punjab Caretaker Minister for Information and Culture Amir Mir announced on Sunday that the government’s efforts to curb explicit and inappropriate content in stage plays entered the next phase and the Shalimar Theatre on Bedian Road has also been officially resealed.

Mir disclosed that in spite of the ban implemented by the Punjab government, performances continued to take place at the Shalimar Theatre. He said the assistant commissioner of Lahore Cantt took action and immediately sealed the theatre while warning notices had been dispatched to all theatre proprietors across the province.

Mir emphasized that following the cancellation of scripts for all stage plays by the Punjab Council of the Arts, a ban on stage performances had been enacted. He clarified that no dramas would be staged in any theatre before the necessary amendments to the Dramatic Act of 1876.

The caretaker minister asserted that the pre-approval of scripts would be a mandatory prerequisite for staging plays in theatres. Additionally, a thorough dress rehearsal, subject to clearance by government representatives, would be conducted prior to each performance.

Mr Mir underscored the unwavering commitment to enforcing the standard operating procedures (SOPs) outlined by the home department, ensuring that no dance performances would be permitted during stage plays. Furthermore, Mir affirmed that the process of amendments to the Drama Act would be completed within 10 days.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2023