ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Saturday inaugurated the three-day National Artists Convention at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad, which was aimed at seeking inputs to empower the artists’ community.
The Convention will continue till February 26, and in which artists from across the Country will participate with deliberations focus on different genres of art including film, drama, fine arts and theatre.
The National Artists Convention will be followed by a CPEC Cultural Caravan which is part of the three-day art and cultural festival.
“Seminars, youth contests, exhibition, short films screening, fashions, cultural pavilions, panel discussions and cultural stalls will also be arranged during the three-day convention,” an official of PNCA said.
Talking to media at PNCA, Marriyum Aurangzeb said the way the armed forces were guardians of the borders, the artists were the protectors of the Country’s culture and heritage.
The minister said it was for the first time that artists had been brought together at one platform to acknowledge their contributions and seek their input for policy making.
Marriyum said the government was working hard to promote arts and culture in the Country.
“We should focus on the future instead of blaming our past,” she said adding artists had a key role in representation of a Country.
The state minister further said the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif worked hard for the restoration of Country’s rich heritage. She said promotion of arts and artists could help in revival of peace. She also said revival of the film industry was a healthy sign.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said at the conclusion of the three-day Convention, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi would announce a Cultural and Film Policy. She said its objective was to protect rights of artists and promote cultural heritage of the Country.