Theatres to reopen under strict monitoring

Government plans to amend act promulgated in 1876

LAHORE:

The Punjab government has conditionally allowed theatres across the province to reopen but under strict monitoring of the authorities.

This decision was made during a meeting chaired by Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Naqvi in Lahore, where the closure of theatres throughout Punjab for the past month was discussed.

During the meeting, it was also decided that strict monitoring would be conducted on theatre dramas, and any content featuring obscenity or vulgarity would face legal action.

In the meeting, a briefing was given on the 150-year-old Theatres Act of 1876, which is subject to approved amendments.

The Punjab government's recent crackdown on obscenity in Lahore theaters has stirred a wave of reactions from both artists and officials within the entertainment industry.

Over the past few weeks, the provincial capital has witnessed the closure of almost all theatres, prompting artists, producers, and officials from the Punjab Theatres Association to voice their concerns through two press conferences held at the Lahore Press Club.

During the initial press conference, representatives from the association openly criticized the Punjab government, especially Commissioner Lahore, for the abrupt closure of theaters. However, as the situation developed, the artist community appeared to take a U-turn in their stance.

A notable shift was observed when they expressed their support for Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Provincial Minister for Information and Culture Aamir Mir, and Secretary for Information and Culture Ali Nawaz Malik for their resolute stance on tackling obscenity within the theatres.

Prominent figures from the industry, including Amanat Chan, Qaiser Piya, Tahir Anjum, Shahid Khan, Durdana Rehman, and others, highlighted that shuttering theatres might not be the ultimate solution to the issue at hand.

Instead, they proposed that a more effective approach would involve penalising individuals who propagate obscenity.

The artists emphasised that such a move would not only preserve the employment of thousands but also eradicate the damaging influence of explicit content on the society. Amanat Chan articulated that a lifetime ban should be imposed on those who promote indecency, specifically addressing instances where certain elements had turned theatre basements into platforms for explicit displays.

These sentiments were further reinforced by Minister of Information and Culture Punjab, Aamir Mir, who categorically stated that the government would not succumb to blackmail from entities exploiting theatres for indecent activities.

As the situation continues to unfold, Lahore's artistic landscape stands at a crossroads, balancing the need for cultural expression with the imperative of upholding societal values.

The convergence of opinions from both officials and artists signals a growing consensus on the best way forward in this ongoing struggle against obscenity in the entertainment industry.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2023.