LAHORE: The Punjab Information and Culture Department (PICD) has announced a ban on all commercial theaters and related activities taking place at the Alhamra Art Centre under the jurisdiction of the Lahore Arts Council (LAC). This decision is a response to growing complaints about explicit dance performances in dramas held at the Alhamra Mall Road venue.
Provincial Minister for Information and Culture, Amir Mir, issued a comprehensive prohibition on commercial theater stage plays at the iconic Alhamra Mall Road location. This ban includes the immediate cancellation of all bookings for scheduled plays.
The Alhamra Cultural Complex has a history of hosting meaningful performances, but recent explicit content in some commercial theater productions has led to this decision. While the introduction of commercial theaters aimed to generate funds, the Alhamra Halls primarily served to facilitate literary and cultural activities.
The Caretaker Culture Minister clarified that the ban specifically targets commercial stage plays, and the broader artistic activities at the Al-Hamra Cultural Complex will continue as scheduled.
The aim of the ban is to maintain cultural and literary standards, ensuring an environment suitable for all audiences. The minister emphasized that the intention is not to stifle artistic expression but rather to channel it into more refined and culturally enriching forms.
