Staff Report
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakutunkhwa government has developed a comprehensive roadmap for the preservation and promotion of the province’s cultural heritage, with accelerated efforts to highlight cultural pillars such as music, drama, fine arts, and crafts on a global scale. In this regard, an important meeting was organized by the Department of Culture, Tourism & Archaeology and the Khyber Pakutunkhwa Culture & Tourism Authority, where Provincial Secretary for Culture Dr. Abdul Samad addressed a delegation of artists.
The delegation included prominent figures from music, film, and literature, such as Professor Sajjad Orakzai, Presidential Award-winning Pashto actress Noshaba Bibi, Afsheen Zaman, Manzoor Khan, Dr. Masood-ur-Rehman, Umar Hayat, Ashfaq Toru, Muhammad Nawaz, and Syed Ahmed Bukhari. Director General of the KP Culture & Tourism Authority, Habibullah Arif, also presented suggestions.
Dr. Abdul Samad emphasized that Peshawar’s Nishtar Hall holds historical significance and immediate steps will be taken to make it a hub for artists’ activities. He requested the delegation to submit an event calendar and an actionable plan for the next six months. A concrete plan will also be prepared to revive the cultural festival “Jashn-e-Khyber,” which was held in the past.
In line with Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s vision, special attention is being given to heritage tourism to put the province on the global tourism map. The delegation requested that cultural associations be granted council status, to which Director General KP-CTA Habibullah Arif directed them to submit a written application, assuring them of registration.
Dr. Abdul Samad clarified that the Chief Minister and Special Assistant for Tourism Zahid Chanzeb are fully supporting the restoration of cultural heritage. He stated, “Our goal is not only to restore the province’s cultural identity but also to pass it on to the new generation. Together with artists, we will take measures to make Khyber Pakhtunkhwa culturally self-reliant.”
The Department of Culture agreed to develop a joint plan with the delegation, which will include artist training, cultural festivals, and the restoration of historical sites. The cultural revival efforts in Khyber Pakutunkhwa can strengthen Pakistan’s soft power not only locally but also on an international level.
