KARACHI, Dec 16: The Sindh Assembly was informed on Friday that the government intended to bring about a cultural revolution in the province by organising various cultural events and programmes with the support of government and non-government organisations and international agencies.

Replying to various supplementary and written questions asked by provincial lawmakers pertaining to her department, Minister for Culture Sassui Palijo also said that the government was also taking measures for the promotion of public libraries in the province, which were neglected in the past.

She told the house that a plan to establish digital libraries in the province was also under consideration.

She further informed the house that the government was also planning to participate in international festivals in Dubai and Turkey and European countries to highlight the culture of Sindh.

In reply to a question asked by MPA Nusrat Seher Abbasi, she said that the culture department had published Sheikh Ayaz poetry-1 and 2. She denied that some pages of these books were missing.

However, she submitted in the house that it could be possible that some pages in one or two copies of any book might be missing due to a mistake of binders.

The minister assured the member that the department would check all such copies. If any book was found defective, it would be returned to the publisher for replacement, she said.

She claimed that a lot of cultural work had been done in her tenure, which she said would always be remembered.

Replying to a question of MPA Rashida Panhwar, Ms Palijo said that the department had renovated two public libraries in Dadu and Jamshoro through a scheme in the annual development programme.

The scheme was prepared at a cost of Rs59.460 million. Besides repair of the building, the renovation works included installation of new furniture and equipment. The libraries included Allama I.I Kazi Public Library (Dadu) and Lal Shahbaz Public Library (Sehwan Sharif).

In reply to another question, the minister said that her department had prepared a Rs28.895 million project for the restoration and conservation of Khudabad mosque at Khudabad colony in Dadu.

MPA Waseem Ahmed wanted to know the number of cultural shows and exhibitions organised by the Sindh government during 2010. The minister replied that during the year 2010, the culture department had organised 69 cultural events in the province.

She went on to say that as many as 100 cultural programmes were held every year in Sindh, but these programmes were affected by the devastating floods.

She said these programmes consisted of book exhibitions and launching ceremonies and celebration of days of prominent poets and other literary figures.

The minister said that the government was focusing on cultural activities in the province so as to bring about a cultural revolution.

She said that awards were also being given to intellectuals and poets in recognition of their performance: The awards are Shah Latif Excellence Award, Josh Malih Abadi Award, Sheikh Ayaz Award and Latif Award given on the occasion of the Urs of Shah Latif Bhitai.

In reply to a question of Heer Ismail Soho, the minister said cultural festivities were being held in different parts of the province. These included Urs of Shah Latif Bhitai at Bhit Shah, Urs of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar (Sehwan), Urs of Sachal Sarmast, Sindh sea festival (Karachi), Sindh Cultural day (ajrak-topi day).