Bahawalpur Arts Council yet to entertain

Construction of the building yet to commence despite a lapse of around two years.

BAHAWALPUR/ KARACHI: Punjab Chief Minister Shabaz Sharif laid the founding stone of the Bahawalpur Arts Council on July 21, 2009, but the construction of the building is yet to commence despite a lapse of around two years.

An amount of Rs175 million specified for the purpose was withdrawn and directed towards flood rehabilitation activities, sources in the council told The Express Tribune. The sources said that the only funds being issued now are the salaries of the staff that has not planned any event in a long time.

The people of Bahawalpur have expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of interest displayed by the authorities in this area of southern Punjab, which is presently marred by extremism and is deprived of any kind of entertainment.

The Bahawalpur Arts Council once used to be a lively place where legendary actors performed. “Once very active in the promotion and performance of arts, [the council] has now become a dead horse due to the negligence of the authorities,” said an art lover, while commenting on the situation.

Sources said that shortage of funds and lack of proper patronage have almost ruined the entire setup, which has, in the past, served the people of the area so effectively that the events arranged by the Bahawalpur Arts Council during 1980s and 1990s still live on in the memories of the locals.

Officials said that during the last decade, the Bahawalpur Arts Council has failed to stage any notable event as it used to in the past.