Information and Culture Department orders strict enforcement after arts council monitoring report flags dance moves and gestures

LAHORE: The Punjab Information and Culture Department has imposed a one-month performance ban on eight stage actresses over allegations of obscene dance performances and inappropriate gestures during theatre shows.

The provincial government issued an official notification after receiving a monitoring report from the Punjab Council of the Arts. According to authorities, the report identified performances that allegedly included vulgar or immoral dance moves and gestures considered unsuitable for stage productions.

Consequently, officials directed relevant departments and theatre authorities across Punjab to strictly enforce the restrictions during the specified period.

Eight Performers Named in Government Notification

The actresses named in the notification include Mahi Rajput, Hina Sheikh and Malaika Shehzadi. Authorities have prohibited all three performers from appearing in stage productions for one month.

Furthermore, the government imposed the same restriction on Madiha Khan, Mehak Noor and Mano Multan.

Raima Mehr and Hasna Jutt have also received one-month bans, bringing the total number of affected performers to eight.

The notification prevents the actresses from performing in theatres covered by the provincial authorities during the restriction period.

However, the available notification details did not indicate whether the performers would challenge the decision or seek a review from the relevant authorities.

Monitoring of Stage Dramas Continues Across Punjab

Meanwhile, Pukar Director Mughees bin Aziz said authorities were taking action across Punjab based on monitoring reports concerning stage dramas.

The latest restrictions form part of the provincial government’s continuing scrutiny of theatre content and performances.

Officials have instructed enforcement authorities to ensure theatre operators comply fully with the government’s directives.

The action comes amid increased regulatory attention toward stage productions in Punjab, where authorities have recently intervened over content and performance standards.

Moreover, monitoring teams continue to observe stage dramas and report alleged violations to the concerned departments.

Authorities have indicated that performers and theatre managements could face action whenever monitoring reports identify violations of applicable rules and standards governing public performances.