In an effort to overcome the economic crises of the province, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) led Punjab government decided on Friday to commercialise cultural activities performed at art councils. In this connection, presentation of free stage shows will end from December 1, 2018 at Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC). The provincial government has announced to start commercial stage shows at arts council. Earlier, the RAC had started presentation of free stage shows/dramas for the promotion of artists, local culture and the revival of theatre. According to the officials, 15 to 20 dramas were presented every month at the arts council. Families attended these shows/dramas free of cost but now this series of free dramas will come to an end. According to sources, the PTI led Punjab government has decided to start commercial dramas in the auditorium of the arts council from December 1. Now, citizens will have to purchase tickets to enjoy these dramas. The arts council will charge Rs 5,000 per drama from the producers while the compensation to the artists will also be paid by the producer. RAC Public Relations Officer Sajjad Hussain confirmed that free dramas will end this month. The government has decided to commercialise the dramas at the request from the artist’s community, he added. Senior artist Yar Muhammad Yaro said, presentation of free dramas was an academic practice for new artists, as we were producing new ideas from this platform but if the government started commercial dramas at arts council it will put a question mark on the standard of these dramas. Artists do not have enough resources to produce dramas by themselves while investors always use different techniques to earn more, as a result of which the menace of vulgarity goes up. When contacted, Provincial Minister for Information & Culture Fiazul Hassan Chohan said, the aim to commercialisation of stage shows/dramas presented in arts councils is to financially strengthen the artists. Now they will be able to earn handsome money from their art. Answering a question he said, to facilitate the artist’s community, the government has reduced the rent of the art council auditoriums from Rs 10,000 to Rs 5,000. If the artists produce good work and new ideas, families will definitely pay and attend. Published in Daily Times, November 24th 2018.