LAHORE Senior Pakistani stage artists have called on the Punjab government to support the revival of family-oriented theatre by providing access to theatre halls across the province.
Speaking at a press conference at the Lahore Press Club, veteran performers including Goshi Khan, Tabinda Ali, Zafar Irshad and Suleman Sunny appealed to Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bukhari and the Punjab Arts Council to facilitate quality stage productions.
The artists said they were not seeking financial assistance but only venues where they could stage clean, scripted, family-friendly performances. They added that they were willing to pay the rental costs for the halls.
Goshi Khan said many experienced artists had been sidelined, leaving the theatre industry in decline. He noted that several senior performers, including Mohsin Gillani, Jawad Waseem and Hassan Murad, were committed to restoring quality theatre.
Tabinda Ali emphasized the need to register artists and introduce practical reforms to strengthen the performing arts sector. She expressed confidence that collective efforts could improve the standard of stage productions.
Zafar Irshad said the group wanted to promote “clean theatre” on the lines of the government’s “Clean Punjab” initiative and urged authorities to support the campaign.
Rawalpindi-based artist Suleman Sunny stressed the importance of producing content that appeals to Generation Z. He warned that unless younger audiences were engaged, theatre would continue to lose relevance and face further decline.
The artists concluded by urging the provincial government to work with the theatre community to revive family entertainment and preserve Pakistan’s stage culture.
