Positive developments are being observed in the Culture and Tourism Authority of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following recent administrative changes, particularly after the appointment of Director General Usman Mehsud. Members of the artistic and cultural community have welcomed these developments and described them as a positive step for promoting arts and culture in the province.
According to sources, several encouraging changes have been noticed within the authority. The recent appointment of Director Culture Ms. Halima has contributed to noticeable progress in cultural affairs. Meanwhile, Deputy Director Culture Haseena Shaukat is recognized for her dedication and professional approach. She has been actively meeting delegations of artists and representatives from the arts community, making serious efforts to ensure merit and transparency within the institution.
Additionally, the Culture and Tourism Authority is carrying out cultural mapping across the province. This includes collecting data on all local artists and mapping arts organizations and associations. This process is aimed at correcting past irregularities and mismanagement, with Haseena Shaukat playing a key role in ensuring that the process is conducted efficiently and fairly.
For the first time in the history of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a professional committee has been formed within the Culture and Tourism Authority to review nominations for the prestigious Civil Awards. Members of the arts community have described this step as a historic milestone for ensuring merit in the selection process.
The committee includes prominent professionals from different fields of fine arts. From the performing arts sector, Najibullah Anjum, Ajab Gul, and Batin Farooqi have been included. In literature, renowned writer Bushra Farukh has been nominated, while in music, respected figures Ghulam Abbas Guldervi and prominent tabla player Sabz Ali are included.
Artists believe that including professionals in such committees will strengthen transparency and merit in the process and will promote the arts and culture of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Finally, members of the fine arts community have paid tribute to the Culture and Tourism Authority for these positive initiatives. They especially appreciated Director General Usman Mehsud and Deputy Director Culture Haseena Shaukat for their efforts. Through this news, artists expressed their support, stating that their main goal is to promote culture, ensure fair decisions, and create opportunities for artists’ welfare and employment. They also expressed hope that professionals will continue to be included in the future so that past shortcomings can be corrected and the province’s cultural sector can move forward positively.
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As Chairman of the Pakistan Directors, Producers, Writers, and Artists Association (Registered), I wholeheartedly welcome the recent positive administrative changes and reforms within the Khyber Pakhtun Khwa Culture and Tourism Authority. Under the leadership of Director General Usman Mehsud, the institution is heading in a direction that serves as a new beacon of hope for the provincial artistic and cultural community.
The appointment of Deputy Director Culture Haseena Shaukat and her professional services are particularly commendable. Her tireless hard work, dedication,
and direct engagement with delegations of artists are clear evidence of her sincerity in promoting a culture of merit and transparency. The professional integrity and diligence she has demonstrated in steering the complex process of cultural mapping will not only eliminate past irregularities but also pave the way for the welfare of genuine artists by organizing accurate data.
Furthermore, the formation of a committee comprising renowned professionals for the Civil Awards is a historic milestone. The inclusion of esteemed figures like Najibullah Anjum, Ajab Gul, Bushra Farukh, and others ensures that decisions will now be based on artistic merit rather than favoritism.
We hope that Ms. Haseena Shaukat and the administrative leadership will continue their efforts with the same passion to create employment opportunities and ensure the welfare of the artist community. Our association assures full cooperation with the Culture Authority in all such positive initiatives to highlight the true cultural face of Khyber Pakhtun Khwa to the world.
Sajjad Ali Orakzai
Chairman,
PDPWA (Regd)