PESHAWAR, Nov 13: The Nishtar Hall, the sole theatre hall in the city, has been turned into a commercial centre rather than being used as a place for promoting cultural and recreational activities.

The hall, established in 1985 at a cost of Rs15 million, has virtually lost its objective due to the wrong policies of its administration. The provincial culture department, which controls the affairs of the hall, seems to have become ineffective in this regard.

A fee ranging from five to ten thousand is charged for an event whether it is political, cultural, educational or commercial. At least more than 20 events take place every month in the hall generating enough funds for its maintenance. But due to maladministration the place wears a shabby look with broken chairs, walls and dirty bathrooms.

The tickets for the shows are sold at high rates, making it difficult for the commoners to afford. Out of the total 600 seats, at least the tickets for 100 seats are offered to the officials in spite of a ban on free distribution of the tickets by the secretary culture. Consequently, the sponsors have to increase the price of the tickets. “We cannot afford selling tickets at Rs 100 because we also give tickets to the administration of the hall,” said an organiser of the shows at the hall. He said the lack of facilities as, a rehearsal room, canteen and drinking water, disturbs the organisers.

The Nishtar Hall was run by a literary organisation, the Abasin Arts Council (AAC), prior to its take over by the Sarhad Arts Council (SAC) in 1992.