Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to construct auditorium for artists

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information and Culture, Mian Iftikhar Hussein has said that a modern and state of the art auditorium and a hall on the pattern of Nishtar Hall, having double seating capacity and modern facilities, would be constructed in Peshawar.
The provincial government would also establish an academy for future artists so that their artistic abilities could further be polished therein. Handsome amount would be allocated in the next budget for promotion of cultural activities as well as welfare of artists, he added. He said that all artists of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were our precious asset.
He observed that Gulzar Alam upkeep his art in-spite of unfavourable circumstances, dictatorship era and in the atmosphere of apprehensions. Gulzar Alam has played a pivotal role in up keeping the sense of nationalism, patriotism and progress in the people and thus his unmatchable services would be remembered for long.
He expressed these views while addressing a function "an evening with Gulzar Alam" jointly arranged by the Cultural Committee of Peshawar Press Club under the auspices of Culture Department and Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at Peshawar. The function was presided over by prominent poet, Rehmat Shah Sail.
Mian Iftikhar appealed poets and writers that keeping in view the present day situation and requirements, they may produce such poetic verses and writings, which inculcate sense of peace, love and brotherhood among the people. He said that this soil has witness a time when majority of the artists sidelined their art from the fear of terrorists. However, the present government has taken concrete steps which have not only resulted in reducing the incidents of terrorism but the artists have again joined their profession and are demonstrating their art at various forums.
He said that this was not the last cultural programme but rather it was the start of the show, which has been held in recognition of the services of Gulzar Alam. He said that such evenings would also be arranged for encouragement of other prominent artists.
The function was also addressed by prominent intellectuals, writers and artists including Raj Wali Shah Khattak, Shaukat Ali Khan, Dr Muhammad Azam Azam, Dr Fazle Rahim Marwat, Rehmat Shah Sail, Ismail Shahid, Said Rehman Shino, Gulrez Tabassum, Abasin Yousafzai, Rokhan Yousafzai, Ehtesham Toru and others. They said that Gulzar Alam was among those revolutionary singers that no misery could derail him from his path. Gulzar Alam on this occasion, thanked the provincial government and added that his voice and art was a national trust and the encouragement being given to him by the pukhtoon nationals was a great honour for him, he concluded.
Provincial Information and Culture Minister, Mian Iftikhar Hussein handed over a cheque of Rs five lakh (0.5 million) to the famous singer Gulzar Alam on behalf of the provincial government. The function besides others was also attended by Provincial Ministers, Syed Aqil Shah, Sardar Hussain Babak, Muhammad Ayub Khan, ANP Provincial General Secretary, Tajuddin Khan, ANP female members parliament, intellectuals, poets and prominent personalities of art and culture. Chairman of the Cultural Committee of Peshawar Press Club, Ehtesham Toru, Rokhan Yousafzai, Nisar Mehmood, Amjad Hadi Yousafzai, Sajjad Khalil, Sher Alam Shinwari and Inayatur Rehman were also present on the occasion.