ISLAMABAD: A three-day National Artists Convention (NAC) began at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad on Saturday. Addressing the opening ceremony, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the convention was aimed at seeking inputs to empower the artists’ community. She said the way the armed forces were guardians of the borders, the artists were the protectors of the country’s perception. Earlier, while talking to media at the PNCA, Marriyum Aurangzeb said that it was for the first time that artists had been brought together at one platform to acknowledge their contributions and seek their input for policy making. She said Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, at the conclusion of the NAC, will announce a cultural and film policy. She said its objective was to protect rights of artists and promote cultural heritage of the country. It is pertinent to mention that artists from across the country are participating in the event with deliberate focus on different genres of art, including film, drama, fine arts and theatre. They are discussing developing a national artistic infrastructure in the country and will present their recommendations in the form of a Charter of Demand. The convention will be followed by a CPEC Cultural Caravan, which is part of the three-day art and cultural festival. The festival will conclude on Monday and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is expected to be the chief guest at the concluding ceremony. Published in Daily Times, February 25th 2018.