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Lahore:
In an effort to curb obscenity and nudity in stage plays, the Punjab government has implemented new theatre laws across the province.
Administrative control of all theatres, including Lahore Theatre, has been transferred from the Ministry of Interior to the Ministry of Information and Culture.
Under this new Act, Punjab Arts Council, Information and Culture Ministry will not only monitor but also regulate the activities of artists.
The new regulations, called the Punjab Dramatic Performances Rules, 2023, replace the 150-year-old Dramatic Performances Act of 1876.
The reforms come after commercial cinemas have faced numerous legal challenges and loopholes in their efforts to remove pornographic content.
In August last year, during the tenure of caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the government sealed more than 10 large commercial theatres in Lahore, Shekhupur and Kasur for violating the old theatre laws and promoting obscene content.
Ali Nawaz, then Punjab Minister of Information and Culture, played a key role in the crackdown by preparing a comprehensive report recommending that the administration of commercial theatres be transferred to the Ministry of Information and Culture.
The new bill empowers the Punjab Council of Arts (PCA) to oversee all aspects of theatre performances, from script approval to monitoring and disciplinary action. Previously, the deputy commissioner’s office and the home department were responsible for monitoring theatre activities and reporting any irregularities. However, by the time action was taken, the performances were often over and the artists involved had moved on to other theatres.
Section 10(a) of the Punjab Arts Council Act, 1975 provides that the Punjab Arts Council is hereby empowered to advise the Government on all policy matters relating to artistic and cultural activities.
A committee set up by the council reviewed the old theatrical performance law and recommended changes to it to make it a more effective legal tool.
Under the new decree, the PCA will formulate business rules for commercial theaters to ensure comprehensive supervision from script to performance.
The artists’ community welcomed the change and expressed optimism that it would help eradicate obscenity from the stage.
Qaiser Sanaullah, president of the Punjab Theatre Makers and Artists Association, was one of the first to advocate against obscenity in theatres.
He stressed the importance of producing family-friendly plays and hailed the recent play “Zill-e-Shah” staged at Tamashil Theatre which was well received by families.
Sanaullah hopes that the new drama law will completely eliminate obscene content and restore the lost glory of stage drama.
Published in Express, June 3road2024.
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