Faisalabad District Co-ordination Officer (DCO) Athar Hussain Khan Sial has decided to temporarily withdraw the ban imposed on stage dramas in Faisalabad in view of the assurance given by cinema owners and the theatre managements that the code of ethics relating to the dramas would be strictly adhered to and that objectionable & obscene performance would not be allowed on the stage. This decision was taken here at a meeting of cinema-owners and the theatres' management held under the chairmanship of DCO, which was among others also attended by the Resident Director Arts Council Chaudhry Muhammad Asif and DO (Coord) Malik Muhammad Aslam.
Cinema owners and management of theatres gave assurance through a written undertaking that it would be ensured that the timings fixed for dramas i e first show from 2000 hours to 2230 hours, and second show from 2230 hours to 0100 hours, would be observed and the shows would end in time positively.
The management would be bound to create favourable atmosphere in the theatre boundaries, and ensure that during performance there would be no direct engagement, exchange of conversation or gestures etc between the artistes and spectators nor would anyone present flowers, money or any other thing as present to the male/female artistes.
Cinema/theatre management would ensure that there would be no complaint of objectionable, vulgar or obscene performance. In case of any violation, NOC of drama would be withdrawn and the cancellation of license for the respective theatre would be moved besides initiating other penal action recommended and action would be taken under the rules.
It was decided in the meeting that at the time of getting permission for drama, the owners/ theatre management would deposit a pay order/cheque of Rs 50,000 with the District Administration. In case of any irregularity the amount would be confiscated and strict action would also be taken against all the concerned.
DCO Athar Hussain Khan Sial said that sometime back District Administration had held a meeting with the theatres' management and warned them to remain within ethical limits but having seen no effect on them, it was constrained to impose ban on dramas in Faisalabad.
However, now on their assurance it has been decided to lift the ban temporarily. The vigilance teams of district administration would, in the meantime, monitor stage dramas and in case of any irregularity, the ban on dramas would be re-imposed. He asked the cinema owners and drama management to fulfil their moral obligation and ensure that no such performance be allowed in dramas as they themselves could not witness with their families. He said that there was no restriction on showing quality entertainment and moral dramas but objectionable and indecent performances would not be tolerated. He said that all the persons related to the field of drama should realise their duty and make an assessment for themselves as to whether or not they were responsible in damaging the nation's morality and destroying the younger generation?
Besides other concerned, Rana Asghar of Bambino cinema, Humayun of Nishat Cinema, Raja Shahzad of Shahzad cinema, Malik Aamir Hussain of Naz Cinema, Muhammad Aslam of Minerva Cinema, Malik Ehsan of Shabnam cinema and Malik Amjad of Nishat Cinema Jaranwala also attended the meeting.