The Punjab government has announced a lifetime ban on theatre actresses involved in obscene performances. This decision was made after a meeting between Punjab’s Minister for Information and Culture, Azma Zahid Bukhari, and theatre owners to address various issues within the theatre industry.
The meeting led to the agreement to impose the ban on actresses participating in inappropriate theatrical performances and vulgar dances. Additionally, theatres promoting such content will have their licenses revoked.
Read more: Punjab Bans Kite Flying Ahead of Basant Festival
To ensure compliance, Bukhari instructed the Punjab Arts Council to obtain written commitments from theatre owners, ensuring they would no longer allow obscene performances. The minister also confirmed that sealed theatres would reopen once these undertakings are provided.
Bukhari emphasized that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is dedicated to making theatres family-friendly and will not permit the spread of obscenity. She also highlighted that the Punjab government will introduce new legislation to regulate stage dramas, encouraging content that addresses social issues and offers guidance to the public.
This decision comes after multiple warnings and notices were issued to theatres in Lahore, which continued to violate regulations, resulting in several being sealed. The provincial government has now decided to enforce the ban on performers involved in obscene acts.
This issue has been ongoing in Punjab, as even in 2023, the caretaker government sealed all theatres in the Lahore division following the persistence of vulgar performances. Caretaker Provincial Information Minister Amir Mir explained that action was taken due to the continued vulgarity in stage dramas despite numerous warnings.
