Theatre performers, producers face ban over obscenity

Punjab government has decided to root out obscenity in theatre performances by registering cases against artistes and sealing the halls involved in objectionable activities.

The Punjab Arts Council has formed 12 teams to monitor the theatres across the province.

According to Caretaker Culture Minister Amir Mir, stage dancers involved in obscenity will be banned for five to 10 years and drama producers for life. Provincial Culture Secretary Ali Nawaz Malik said strict action would be taken wherever a complaint was received.

During the crackdown, a case has been registered in the Civil Lines police station against dancers Shama Rana and Kahkashan on charges of obscene acts in Alhamra hall.

CCPO Bilal Kamiana also ordered arrest of the dancers.

On the instructions of the caretaker minister, the two dramas, their producers Waheed Qadir and Muhammad Mansha, and both performers have been banned across the province.

In view of the situation, Punjab Arts Council has started daily monitoring of stage plays in the province.

The council's chief Dr Bilal Haider has formed monitoring teams which will submit reports regarding theatre performances on a daily basis.

Action has also been recommended to the district administration against several actors for immoral behaviour in stage dramas. The actors facing action include Mehek Butt, Hira Dogar and Nida Chaudhary. Deputy Commissioner Rafia Haider confirmed that the dramas were being monitored.

Earlier, a letter was issued by the Lahore Arts Council, which declared that actor Shama Rana had been banned from performing on the premises.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 18^th, 2023.