ISLAMABAD: Culture and democracy are inextricably linked to each other and during dictatorial regimes, arts,artist communities and freedom of expression got suppressed. This was stated by Information State Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, while addressing the curtain-raiser ceremony of National Artist Convention 2018 and China Pakistan Election Commission cultural caravan festival on Friday. She said the government was all set to announce its first ever culture and film policies very soon which will usher in an epoch making era for the promotion of culture and revival of the film industry in the country. The minister said that the cultural policy had been formulated in consultation with the provincial governments. She said that the policy envisaged setting up of a finance fund, a film academy, a national centre of excellence, a performing arts and visual arts academy besides a number of incentives like tax rebates on equipment for the cinema houses, preparation of data base of the artists and according protection to the jobs of the employees of the culture related departments. She further revealed that the rates of tax on cinema tickets would be kept to the minimum. She said that the purpose of the measures being taken by the government was not only to help and assist the artists but also to ensure their due place in the society. She observed that it was for the first time that a plan had been chalked out for the welfare and development of the artist community. Marriyum Aurangzeb said that for the first time ever, Pakistan would participate in film festivals of Beijing and Shanghai. She said that the culture and film policies were designed to revive the narrative of a peaceful Pakistan through culture, heritage and broadcasting. The minister said that a positive identity of Pakistan could be highlighted in a better way through the promotion of arts. She said that artists from across the country had been invited to attend the convention and they would themselves identify the difficulties being confronted by the cultural structure, films, theatre and performing and visual arts. The minister said that the recommendations made in the convention would be presented to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and their implementation would be ensured after his approval. Aurangzeb said that the prime minister had advised to consult all the stakeholders in the films and culture industries. She also informed that terrorism during the last 30-35 years had not only claimed the lives of our people but also had badly affected films, culture, heritage and theatre. She said that the measures taken in line with the vision of the former prime minister and the sacrifices rendered by the security forces, police and law enforcing agencies, the law and order situation in the country had considerably improved and the country was also completing 10 years of uninterrupted democracy. She said that the artists were the custodians of the culture of the country and Ataul Haq Qasmi, Jamal Shah and Fauzia Saeed had made valuable contributions in the formulation of the cultural policy. The minister observed that there were times when the film industry of Pakistan was ranked among the best film industries of the world and the country even won wars through the inspiration provided by the songs sung by our artists. She said that myriad of opportunities existed in Pakistan for the revival of culture and films. She observed that there was a well-entrenched culture of intolerance in the country at the moment and no one was prepared to listen to or accommodate the view point of the other adding that social change could be triggered through art and culture. The minister said that in the past, there was impregnable solidarity among the people and everybody was aware of the culture of the different provinces of Pakistan. She said that the film and cultural industries of China, Qatar and Bangladesh were making great contributions to their Gross Domestic Products and likewise Pakistan would also have to pay attention to its film industry. She informed everyone that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had passed an Access to Information Bill as former prime ministerNawaz Sharif desired every citizen to have access to any information that he required from the government institutions. The minister said that as a consequence of peaceful conditions in the country, the playing fields were witnessing the revival of sports activities. The minister said that the CPEC cultural caravan and exchange of cultural troupes would not only help in promoting understanding about each other culture but they would also contribute to the success of the CPEC. She said that both the countries could successfully implement that mega economic initiative through their collective efforts. The Pakistan National Council of Arts Director General Jamal Shah, senior artists and a large number of Chinese artists were also present on the occasion besides members of the public. Published in Daily Times, February 24th 2018.