KARACHI: Caretaker Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Syed Jamal Shah has said no country can progress without a strong cultural identity.

He said this while talking to the media during a visit to the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Friday.

The minister reached the metropolis, went to the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah to offer fateha, chaired a meeting of the Mazar Management Board and also visited the KPC and National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa).

Accompanied by KPC Secretary Shoaib Ahmed, the minister said that the projection of the country’s rich heritage sites would attract local as well as foreign tourists.

To a question, he said that there was a need to develop more cinemas in the country with better facilities and affordable tickets.

“Production of more films will create job opportunities,” he said, adding: “Film is a very strong medium for projection and promotion of our culture and to educate people.”

At Napa, the minister was briefed on the achievements, plans and needs of the academy by its chief executive officer Junaid Zuberi.

Napa chairman Syed Jawaid Iqbal, Board of Directors members Javed Jabbar, Satish Anand and Anwer Rammal were also present.

According to a press release, the minister expressed his desire for a collaborative approach between the academy and various institutions of the culture ministry.

He was all praise for the efforts Napa had made in promotion of performing arts education.

He said he would do his very best during his brief tenure to help Napa in every possible way.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2023