Actor, writer and TV host Vasay Chaudhry has announced he will no longer be part of the Punjab Cultural Advisory Council which was formed three months ago to help formulate policies and legislation required for the development of arts and culture in the country.
In a series of tweets, Vasay expressed his dismay at lack of action by the Cultural Ministry on the council’s recommendations:
1/6 having said that I will be stepping down frm the cultural advisory council as there is No point in sitting around when the carefully & passionately thought out paperwork is Not being forwarded or implemented for reasons best known to the Cultural ministry.
Pakistan Zindabad— vasay chaudhry (@vasaych) January 13, 2019
He went on to point out some of these propositions which included offering medical services to veteran artists and introducing a Lahore film festival with participants from various countries. It was also recommended to establish a film authority in Punjab which offers benefits (subsidies, permissions etc) to strengthen film production and revival of the film industry in Punjab.
Another key point was the re-structuring of the taxes on cinemas in Punjab along with suggestions to address the ‘cinema mafia’.
1/4
4) Re structuring of the Taxes on Cinemas in Punjab along with suggestions to curtail the cinema mafia.( comprising of ideas/suggestions to benefit the Pakistani film Producers so they can produce more films )— vasay chaudhry (@vasaych) January 13, 2019
1/5 ..the reason i mentioned all these things because I feel a moral obligation even if it's in the capacity of an advisor as i believe that i'm accountable for my performance because its the tax payers money which was utilised in those long sessions & meetings.
— vasay chaudhry (@vasaych) January 13, 2019
Read: Is Vasay Chaudhry writing a film for Fahad Mustafa and Shaan Shahid?
Other prominent members of the committee, which was formed by the minister for culture, include Shaan Shahid and Syed Noor.
