Govt allocates Rs 1 bln for poor artists , performers: Shafqat.

ISLAMABAD -- Minister for Federal Education, National History and Literary Heritage Shafqat Mahmood Wednesday said the government allocated a special fund of Rs 1 billion in the budget which would be distributed among the poor artists and performers.

He said that due to abrupt break off art and culture activities during COVID-19, the government realized the suffering of daily wage artists and workers who were related with the art industry.

He was representing Pakistan in 4th Virtual Extraordinary Conference of Culture Ministers of Islamic countries Educational, Scientific and Cultural organization (ICESCO) Member States, said a press release issued here.

The minister said that the COVID-19 pandemic had deeply affected lives of people, adding "We are enforced to create new norms, in our way of life, interactions and relationships but at the same time it deeply affected the visible manifestation of cultural sector such as music, art and theaters."

He said Pakistan would reduce the COVID-19 impact on art industry and provide steady stream to cultural activities adjusted three-pronged strategy.

The one was to go online for poetry sessions, musical concerts and online participation of artists in seminars.

Secondly by reason of fast spread of the pandemic in Pakistan, and resultantly closure of Art academies and training institutions, our government immediately, planned and implemented special arrangements and SOPs for art students and performers, to facilitate them, in...