RAWALPINDI: The caretaker government has notified the board of management headed by the commissioner for the Punjab Council of Arts Rawalpindi, formerly known as the Rawalpindi Arts Council, to promote arts and culture and provide “expert guidance” and support to the divisional art council in related matters.

Besides Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha as its chairman, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s head Saqib Raffique has been appointed as the president and Arts Council Director Waqar Ahmed as the secretary of the arts council.

District Education Authority CEO Yasin Baloch, Pakistan and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Director General Ahmed Hassan Ranjha, Punjab Information Department Director Awais Ahmed, Asma Ismail (drama director), Javed Niazi (singer), Hassan Abbas Raza (poet), Azeem Iqbal (painter), Rabia Tabassum (actor), and Aslam Mughal (writer) are members of the board.

The board has been tasked to provide expert guidance, recommendations, and support to the arts council in matters related to the promotion, preservation, and development of art. The board will provide strategic vision and operational guidance to the administration for achieving the objectives of the Culture Policy 2022.

It will serve as a collective advisory body, offering policy insights and expertise to enhance the organisation’s activities and initiatives, as prescribed by the government. It will advise the organisation on policies, programmes, and projects related to art, culture, literature, and fine arts, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s vision and mission.

Maiden meeting

In its meeting at the commissioner’s office under the chairmanship of the commissioner, Arts Council Director Waqar Ahmed gave a detailed briefing to the chairman and members of the board regarding the aims and objectives of the newly formed board. The commissioner said that the board would promote art and culture in the Potohar region to streamline new initiatives.

“From December 25 to December 31, the Rawalpindi Arts Council and the PHA will organise a festival…which will feature dramas, mushaira (poetry readings) music, flower display, and cultural stalls to ensure maximum participation of citizens,” he said.

According to the commissioner, new talent needed to be brought forward and should be encouraged to promote arts and culture. He said that there was a need to organise cultural activities in the historical buildings of Rawalpindi.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2023