PNCA gets board of directors

Heritage Division Minister Shafqat Mahmood appoints leading figures of art and culture from federating units

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National History and Literary Heritage Division Shafqat Mehmood has appointed Board of Governors of Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

Mahmood acting as PNCA chairman appointed the 20-member board in addition to ex-officio members in exercise of powers conferred by the PNCA Act, 1973 (LIX of 1973) said a notification issued by National History and Literary Heritage Division.

Lok Virsa and PNCA have been shifted under the Heritage Division since August 2019. Since then the minister has taken keen interest to bring both these significant cultural institutions back on track.

As part of these initiatives, the Heritage Division appointed Dr Fouzia Saeed as PNCA director general and Talha Ali Khan as Lok Virsa executive director.

Urgently taking on to bring good governance in both the institutions the PNCA board of directors was announced ensuring that there was diversity and all provinces were represented.

Mahmood also ensured that while there were experienced individuals representing all forms, there were some youth representation in the field of culture and arts too.

Apart from ex-officio members, 20 people have been appointed to the board who were specialists in their respective fields. According to PNCA Act, 1973 board members were expected to advice assist federal government on all matters pertaining to projection perpetuation and preservation of Art and Culture of Pakistan.

Every member is an icon of their respective field and very seasoned personalities of their disciplines.

Amjad Islam Amjad is a great Urdu poet and an excellent playwright. Recipient of Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Amjad received many awards for his literary work created during his 50 years of career span. He is an author for more than 40 books on poetry, drama and literature.

Moneeza Hashmi, daughter of the great poet, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and a well-established TV producer has also been appointed from Punjab.  She has over four decades of experience working with public media and has been the former general manager for PTV. Currently she is the chairperson of Alhamra Lahore. Tina Sani a great vocalist known for classical and semi-classical renditions represents Sindh on the PNCA board.

Shahid Mehmood Nadeem, a well-known personality of theatre, remained associated with PTV for a long time and a playwright and director of Ajoka theatre group. He represents Punjab from the field of theatre.

Farhan Bogra an accomplished Rubab player from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a representative of Pashtun music and culture on the PNCA board.

From Punjab three names were selected. Samina Peerzada is a veteran TV artist having life long experience with PTV and currently hosting Rewind on Youtube. Sarmad Sultan Khosat has also been appointed as the member of BoG. Son of a renowned TV artist, Irfan Khosat, he has made his own name and distinction in the field of acting, direction and production. Mehwish Hayat, has made her name in television and film industry and has become famous among the public.

Renowned painter Mansoor Rahi an experienced painter is a recipient of Pride of Performance Award and has represented Pakistan throughout the world. Rashid Rana is a painter of par excellence and one of the most prominent artists of his generation. Asma Rashid Khan, representing Islamabad Capital Territory, is a renowned painter and also founder and director of Satrang Gallery. She is an art manager and also has experience of working in development sector and education. Akram Dost Baloch is representing Balochistan. A recipient of President’s Award for Pride of Performance, he is renowned painter and sculptor. He contributed immensely in the field of visual arts and remained associated with University of Quetta as a founding faculty of Fine Arts Dept.

Ziad Bashir, representing Sindh, belongs to Fashion Textile Industry. He remained associated with various known textile groups of Pakistan and abroad. Deepak Perwani, an acclaimed personality in fashion designing and one of the top designers of Pakistan, held many fashion shows at home and abroad.

Muhammad Ahmed Shah is the President of Arts Council of Karachi. He was also conferred upon Sitara-e-Imtaiz for his immense contributions towards art, culture, peace and harmony in society. He represents Sindh in BoG.

Taqi Akhundzada belonging to Gilgit Baltistan is also chief organiser of Pakistan Journalist Foundation, G-B. Besides being involved in cultural management in the area, he has been a founding member of several Baltistan based cultural forums. He is greatly involved in projection of local culture.

Abdullah Balcoh, a very senior member of cultural community has spent all of his life in promoting Balochistan’s culture. He is the former Director of the Cultural Directorate of Balochistan and has been on the BoG of Lok Virsa in the past.

Ghazala Rehman, is associated with furniture industry. She paved the way for new generation of furniture designers and interior decorates of the country. She belongs to Lahore. Naeem Pasha is a renowned architect, painter and poet. He has years of association with PNCA in promoting visual arts. The unique design of PNCA building is an endeavour of Pasha. Parveen Malik, is a renowned TV artist and president of Asian Study Group. She is associated with the field of Culture management since 30 years. She is active in managing and organising art activities in capital.

Mahmood will be the chairman of the board. Other ex officio members include the secretary and the joint of the heritage division, the PNCA director general, PTV managing director, Directorate of Archaeology and Museums director general, PBS director general and a representative each from Foreign Office and the Finance Ministry.

The first meeting of the Board of PNCA is expected to held soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 2^nd, 2020.