PESHAWAR, Nov 15: It was need of the hour to adopt the philosophy and thoughts of Sufi poet Rahman Baba for proper guidance of the coming generations, said Provincial Minister for Culture and Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain here on Tuesday.

He said that besides a Sufi poet of high calibre, Rahman Baba was also a great revolutionary figure who rejected riches of the world and preferred a sagacious life to raise voice against cruelty and exploitation.

The minister was chairing a meeting to review preparation of a theatre play on the life of Rahman Baba.

The meeting was also attended by Culture Secretary Azmat Hanif Orakzai, Culture Director Pervez Khan and writer of the play Abaseen Yousafzai.

The play is being prepared by culture department and prominent artist Ajab Gul is its director.

The minister was informed that the script of the play was almost ready and selection of local artists for various roles was in progress.

The play would be presented in Nishtar Hall soon after Muharram.

He was told that in the next phase such theatre plays would be prepared on the lives of Khushal Khan Khattak, Ameer Hamza Shinwari and Ghani Khan. Special dramas, based on famous romantic stories of the region, would also be staged.

Mr Hussain said that fate of nations could not be changed with the wealth but by adopting the philosophy and thoughts of national heroes.

“Therefore, we will introduce our new generation with the lives and deeds of our heroes and important personalities of this soil,” he said.

He said that they would not have faced with the deteriorating situation if they had benefited form the thoughts of great people like Rahman Baba.

The minister directed the high-ups of the department to arrange special programmes regarding the lives and achievements of the living personalities in various sectors.

He also directed the officials concerned to arrange positive cultural programmes within the ambit of available resources. “For this purpose the redesigning of the stage of Nishtar Hall, its lighting and sound system should also be improved,” he said.

The minister also stressed the need for accelerating pace of work on the proposed Jibran Adeel Cultural Academy and establishment of district cultural clubs so that cultural activities could be kept continued without hurdles.

Bureau Report