PNCA, Lok Virsa fail to notify cancelled shows

ISLAMABAD All cultural events the governmental and non-governmental organisations planned to celebrate the Independence Day of the country were cancelled here Saturday to show solidarity with the victims of flash floods as announced by the Pakistan government. Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) cancelled its children show that was planned at 10.30 am on Saturday and the evening programmes complying with the Prime Ministers orders but at the last moment. The PNCA did not bother to ask the print media to stop pre-event publicity of their shows. It caused inconvenience to many and even some of the media also reached there for coverage. But there was no show. The same sorry state of affairs were seen at Lok Virsa that had cancelled their 'artisans-at-work Independence Day Special but could not inform the public at large about the cancellation of their event. The Lok Virsa Media Coordinator also failed to inform the print media about the cancellation of the event. Rawalpindi Arts Council and many other cultural organisations in the government have already avoided scheduling any event regarding the Independence Day of the country as directed by the federal government followed by the provincial governments. Development Communications Network (DEVCOM-Pakistan) had already cancelled early this month its big youth rally and a cultural programme that was scheduled for the 14 August. The cancellation of Independence Day celebrations of Pakistan by the Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani was a welcome step of the government. It has been widely appreciated by the common people all around. The people have demanded the government to ask the departments to deposit the money in the flood relief fund that is saved from the cancellation of the events and illuminations. The non-governmental organisations have already pledged to donate the savings to the flood relief fund. But, the government organisations are still undecided to use the funds saved from cancelling the Independence Day events and illuminations in the night.