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Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw Minister for Culture and Information, Mian Iftikhar Hussain has said that artists are the custodians of our culture and they would not be ignored any way.
This, he said, while delivering a cheque of Rs. One lac to a noted Pashto folk singer Khan Tehsil at Peshawar in recognition of his work. Secretary Culture Azmat Hanif Orakzai and Director Culture Pervez Sabat Khel were also present on this occasion.
Mian Iftikhar said that Khan Tehsil had been a great and renowned folk singer and had had a large number of fans adding that even today he was a favourite singer of the people. He said that the government had made an environment conducive for the artists on the cost of huge price. He furthered that there was a time when the artists were compelled to flee their land and some of them have decided to say good-bye to their work.
The culture minister said that artists were part of our culture that is why they were intentionally targeted to harm our culture. He, however, declared that no one would be allowed to harm our culture and we would ensure protection to our artists at all costs. He said, after getting the portfolio of culture, he initiated steps for revival of cultural activities in the province and at first step reopened the Nishtar Hall.
The minister continued that the people of Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw proved that they were the culture loving people by participating in the cultural activities in large number. He said the government was taking practical steps for the revival of local culture and preservation of our heritage. Similarly, the government has decided in principle to include culture as a subject in the curriculum, he added. The government also launched a traditional loan scheme for the artists of the province which was being extended phase-wise to the entire province, he concluded
For more information, contact:
Government of Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw
Tel: 091 921 1789
Email: info@khyberpakhtunkhwa.gov.pk