Fights, politics rock Rawalpindi Arts Council

Once known for promoting family entertainment and cultural heritage, the Rawalpindi Arts Council has now become a battleground — both political and physical.
According to sources, frequent quarrels involving physical assaults have become a routine occurrence, while the administration often disappears during such incidents and no legal action is taken against those involved.
In just the past four days, two fights broke out involving foul language and physical violence. Despite the chaos, no complaints were filed with the police by the council's administration.
Established in 1975 during the tenure of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the council was meant to promote entertainment, highlight Punjabi culture, and support local artists through drama festivals.
Over the past 50 years, it staged historic plays and launched the careers of many artists.
However, in the past two years, the council has turned into a political arena. More than half of the artists, directors, and singers have been barred from entering the premises.
A female director's play was pulled from the drama festival schedule at the last minute. A former director was removed abruptly at midnight due to alleged political pressures, sources said. Protests and rallies have been held by artists against these restrictions.
The political entanglements are so intense that even a senator and two MNAs from the PML-N have failed to resolve the issues.
As a result, the number of family attendees has significantly declined. In some shows, only security personnel, administrative staff, and artists' families are present, the sources claimed.
Earlier this week, a serious altercation broke out before a play, with young men exchanging blows and hurling abuse.
Women and children fled the scene, some running upstairs to escape the chaos. The brawl lasted nearly 30 minutes despite efforts by others to intervene.
Families have appealed to Punjab's Information Minister Uzma Bukhari to visit the council, listen to all artist groups, and lift the bans to restore normalcy.
They warned that if immediate action is not taken, the Arts Council could cease to exist as a cultural hub and become a full-fledged battlefield.

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