Khyber Pakhtunkhwa launches loan scheme for artists, artisans

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Culture and Information, Mian Iftikhar Hussein has said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched a loans scheme for the local artists and artisans of the province to promote and preserve their art. In the first phase, loans would be extended to the artists and artisans of Peshawar and Malakand Divisions on the pattern of Bacha Khan Khpal Rozgar Scheme, he added.
The minister was briefing on calendar activities of the department, here on Saturday. Secretary Culture and Information, Azmat Hanif Orakzai and Director Culture, Pervez Khan were also present. The minister on the occasion was informed that the government besides other cultural activities was also considering extension of health coverage to local artists, artisans and writers as well as educational scholarships to their talented children.
Similarly, establishment of cultural academy at provincial metropolis and cultural clubs at district level were also under active consideration of the government to provide opportunity to the local artists and artisans to display their art and skills and also give them access to the national and international market.
The minister said that they were focusing on the revival of indigenous culture and traditions, which were diminishing with the passage of time due to our negligence. He added, the government besides producing write ups on the life and achievements of the personalities like Rehman Baba, Khushal Khan Khattak, Ahmad Shah Baba and Sher Shah Soori was also intending to produce films on them to aware the next generation about the achievements of their forefathers.
Mian Iftikhar continued that the provincial government has started a project in collaboration with Bacha Khan Educational Trust Foundation to promote and preserve the local art and heritage. Similarly, data collection of the local artists and artisans was also underway to form a viable future cultural policy. He added that traditions and cultural values was the identity and power of any nation and the nations losing these qualities could no longer exists, that was why the present government has set up a culture department in the province.
The department has organised various cultural events for the males and females in different local languages, he said. The minister maintained that culture was the most effective medium to mould public opinion on any issue. The main issue in present time of this region is terrorism, which besides other means was being countered by culture also hoping that they would succeed in getting rid of this menace.