LAHORE: The government sealed another four theatre halls in Faisalabad as a part of its crackdown on vulgarity in stage productions.

The theatres -- Sabina, Manerva, Noor Mahal, and Manerva Gold -- were sealed over violations of Drama Act, a Punjab government statement said on Saturday.

It said despite prior warnings, these theatres hosted explicit shows.

Information Minister Amir Mir told reporters the caretaker chief minister had now tasked the deputy commissioners with curbing indecency in stage performances across Punjab.

“These theatres will undergo daily scrutiny, and swift punitive measures will be taken against transgressors. Under the vigilant oversight of the ministry and officers from the Punjab Arts Council and the DC offices will monitor these stage dramas.

“Special Monitoring Committees have also been constituted to monitor stage dramas regularly, and all stage performances will be meticulously recorded by government-designated camera persons,” he said.

The minister said the theatre owners had been duly informed of the government’s directives, and a stern warning issued to all actors and actresses, cautioning them against engaging in explicit and lascivious acts during their stage performances.

He said the Punjab cabinet was in the process of amending the Dramatic Performance Act of 1876. “Within a span of two weeks, this legislative amendment will comprehensively ban dances in stage dramas, whereas enforcement actions against offenders will continue during this period,” he said.

Earlier, the government had closed 10 theatres in Lahore and it’s adjoining areas.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2023