HYDERABAD, Nov 29: The adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister on Culture, Fatima Surraiya Bajia, has announced that a Pak-Japan Cultural Mela will be held in January 2005 with a view to introducing Sindhi culture and handicrafts at the international level.

Speaking at a meeting with officials of the culture department at the Sindh Museum here on Monday, she said Sindh possessed talented artisans and was rich in traditional handicrafts but due to lack of marketing facilities, craftsmen were not getting proper remuneration for their handiworks.

She said that the Sindh government was taking keen interest not only to boost export of handicrafts but was also encouraging artisans by providing incentives. Bajia announced that she had planned to organize a grand theatre play at the Mumtaz Mirza auditorium to encourage the artists of Hyderabad.

Speaking about salary packages for artisans of the museum, she directed the officials of the culture department to prepare proposal in this regard and assured that it would be approved from authorities concerned.

She visited various sections of the Sindh museum where she was briefed about architecture, culture and historical heritage.