Cartoonists gather at Satire Fest

Pakistan Union of Cartoonists formed; Sabir Nazar elected convener

LAHORE: A two-day Satire Fest – aimed at sensitising and mobilising people through art-based activities like theatre, documentaries, music and visual arts – was held recently.

The event was organised by Interactive Resource Centre (IRC), a Lahore-based organisation that works for human rights, democracy and peace. Renowned cartoonists and people from all walks of life attended the event.

American editorial cartoonist Daryl Cagle shed light on the global situation related to cartoonists. He talked about plagiarism and American people’s lack of interest in cartoons on the international political situation.

Punjab Assembly MPA Jugnu Mohsin spoke about the role of image in political understanding among illiterate people from rural areas.  Meanwhile, in his speech, civic educator Zafarullah Khan detailed the constitutional history of the country as well as media freedom. He shared his encyclopedic knowledge of cartoons on important historical events and impressed the participants.

Dr Ayesha Ashfaque, who spoke about symbiotic of signs and symbols, emphasised the importance of ethics in political cartoons, which was something new for almost all of the participants.

The cartoonists lamented that their role was being recognised in the country despite being a functioning democracy. They said due to their limited representation in journalist associations of the country, the cartoonists have formed a representative body called Pakistan Union of Cartoonists. Sabir Nazar, editorial cartoonist of The Express Tribune, was elected as the convener. The union will serve as a platform for cartoonists and visual artists to learn from each other, share their experiences and help create a charter of solidarity.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2019.