NA body directs Virsa to make stalls’ allotment process transparent

Expressing grave concern over utility and criteria for setting up a number of handicraft stalls in and outside Heritage Museum of Lok Virsa, National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Culture directed Lok Virsa to make the process of stalls’ allotment transparent and give preference to women from all provinces to showcase their native culture for enabling them to generate income and promote local art.

The committee directed Lok Virsa to invite skilled women from all over the country for a month of one or two to showcase dying art and crafts and project these in Pakistan and abroad. “This would enhance participation of women from all the provinces to showcase their work and promote sale,” the committee observed.

The committee also expressed concern over complaints of artists and crafts people regarding boarding and lodging facilities provided to them by Lok Virsa.

The committee met at Lok Virsa Library room on Tuesday and discussed Lok Virsa activities and effects of PEMRA rules on Pakistani films and cable operators.

Shireen Arshad Khan chaired the meeting. Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) Director General Tauqir Nasir, Museum and Archeology head Dr Fazal Dad Kakar, Minister for Culture Pir Aftab Shah Jilani and secretary culture Moinul Islam Bukhari were also present. Lok Virsa Executive Director Khalid Javed gave a presentation on Lok Virsa activities.

Javed said the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage was striving for the documentation and preservation of Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage.

Replying to a question, he said over 10,000 people visited Virsa museum and its other departments on monthly basis.

He said museum’s shops were given to artisans on ‘first come first serve’ basis under public-private partnership and their sale was good.

The committee also discussed effects of PEMRA rules on Pakistani film industry and cable operators. DG PEMRA Shahrukh Hasan briefed the committee about functioning of PEMRA.

The meeting was marred by late arrival of committee chairman Muhammad Raza Hayat Harraj, who arrived over an hour late to preside over the meeting.

The committee members said if the committee chairman was late over an hour, how could he handle and look after the affairs of the ministry and gave proposals.

Courtesy: Dailytimes