FAISALABAD, Nov 25: Fourteen stage artistes, including 10 women, have been barred from performing in theatres of the Punjab for their alleged involvement in vulgarity and obscenity.

More than 50 artistes, including film actors and actresses, had so far been banned by the Home Department on the plea that they had been indulging in spreading obscenity. The DCO had sent a report to the Home Department claiming that the artiste were using objectionable language and dancing in brief dresses during their performances.

The Home Department imposed a ban on the performance of Khushboo Naz, Sadique Tabassum, Sarfraz Vicky, Shabbir Akash, Rabia Kasoori, Reena Irani, Nadeem Baral, Shabnam, Mehwish, Fiza Multani, Ali Haider, Arzoo, Aman, Aisha Noor and Billo Shahzadi.

On the other hand, the producers and artistes termed the ban as highly uncalled for. They claimed that there was no clear policy about the performance on stage and the dramas were being staged in cinema and theatres after fulfilling the codal requirements.

The allegation of vulgarity were baseless and the ban was being imposed by the high officials to blackmail them. They claimed that the district government officials had set up a committee to check the performances but the committee members were blackmailing them for personal gains and recommending the government for imposition of ban on a selected group of performers.

At present, dramas were being staged in eight different cinema houses and theatres in the city and Jaranwala tehsil under the direct command of the Excise and Taxation Department and the Faisalabad Arts Council.