President Pervez Musharraf has said that art and culture play an important role in promoting love and harmony among the people and such activities could also help in promoting the soft image of Pakistan.
He expressed these views while addressing the inaugural session of World Performing Arts Festival here on Thursday, organised by Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop and sponsored by Telenor.
Musharraf was accompanied Punjab Governor Lieutenant General Khalid Maqbool (Retd), Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Muhammad Yusaf, Norway Ambassador to Pakistan, Telenor CEO Tory Johnson and senior government officials. The President was of the view that festivals like these would help in promoting the soft image of Pakistan. He said art and culture could bring peace and harmony within Pakistan and projecting it internationally. "We are promoting the softer image of Pakistan through cultural, sport and tourism activities," he added.
Musharraf averred that unfortunately in the past art and culture was not promoted on the pretext that it clashed with Islam. "However we would promote cultural activities within the domain of Islam. Sufis gave a message of love and tolerance, and this message could still promote love, harmony and brotherhood among the masses. We have established a National Sufi Council with the aim propagating the message of great Sufis," he added.
He said the government has taken a number of steps for the growth and promotion of art and culture in the country such as setting up of National Heritage Museum, reorganisation of National Council of Arts, National Academy of Performing Arts and erecting various monuments, including Baab-e-Pakistan. Moreover, in the memories of those who scarified their lives for the national cause a monument was being built in Islamabad, which he would inaugurate on December 25, Musharraf added.
While praising the efforts of the Peerzada brothers in arranging the festival, he said that it is a great festival and he only realised this when he came here last year. Musharraf offered the government's full support and encouragement for the festival and announced Rs 3 million grant for Rafi Peer Theater Workshop. Later, the audience was entertained by various artists from the world. The festival would be opened to general public from November 10 till 20, during which as many as 700 artists from 40 countries would give their performances.