Govt to allow more theatres, less obscenity

Home Dept pushes for licences for new theatres, conversion of cinemas.

LAHORE:

The Punjab government is to allow the construction of new theatre halls and conversion of old cinemas to theatres, while at the same time tightening regulations governing dramatic performances, The Express Tribune has learnt.

The Home Department has sent a summary to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat recommending that a ban on the issuance of licences for new theatre halls imposed in September 2006 be lifted “to promote healthy entertainment and performing activities,” said an official at the CM’s Secretariat.

After the ban was put in place, the Home Department received a large number of applications for more licences from individuals and companies. One applicant said that the ban violated the rights enshrined in Article 18 of the Constitution, which says that citizens cannot be deprived of the right to conduct a trade, business or profession that is lawful and regulated.

The Home Department’s summary to the chief minister uses this argument to recommend that the ban on grant of fresh licences to theatres be lifted, sources in the Home Department said.

The Home Department had issued licences to 51 halls to stage plays before 2006. Twenty-two of these were either closed for violations of the Dramatic Performance Act of 1876 or converted into business centres. Twenty-nine are still in business, including 10 in Lahore, six each in Multan and Faisalabad, three in Okara, and one each in Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Rawalpindi and Sargodha. At least 200 artists perform at these theatres.

Meanwhile, the government is also set to introduce the Punjab Dramatic Performances Act 2011, to introduce new penalties for “scandalous, defamatory and obscene performances”, said the CM’s Secretariat official. The previous law, the Dramatic Performance Act of 1876, had become “ineffective at controlling vulgarity and other practices,” he added.

Under the Dramatic Performance Act of 1876, performers could be banned and have their licences suspended for up to 60 days. Violations of the new act are punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs100,000, and a ban for 90 days. Violators can include artists, actors, musicians, models, scriptwriters, producers, directors and the theatre owners.

The new law will cover plays, pantomimes, concerts, fashion shows, circus performances and any other theatrical, musical and dance performances in the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2011.