GILGIT BALTISTAN: Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), has opened its regional office in Gilgit Baltistan (GB).
The office was formally inaugurated by the GB’s Minister for Tourism, Sports, Culture & Archeology, and Youth Affairs, Raja Nasir Ali Khan on Thursday.
Dr Fouzia Saeed DG PNCA, Sumair Ahmed Syed Secretary Tourism, Sports & Culture GB, Zafar Taj a cultural personality and Secretary Agriculture and PNCA’s Board member Taqi Akhunzada were also present at the occasion.
Shafqat Mehmood , Federal Minister NH &CD was also going to be present, however, due to flight cancellation he could not make it. He sent a special message expressing his intentions to be actively engaged with GB in future.
He said “I am happy that PNCA has set up this regional office at GB. We will make sure that we contribute to the promotion of the rich culture of GB through cultural activities. ”
PNCA’s office is located in a small portion of the Sports Complex in Jutial. This complex features sports and cultural facilities. PNCA has constructed a sound proof audio recording studio within the allocated space, which is fully equipped with latest technology.
It is prepared to record all genres of music. The Council intends to talk to the KIU for their interest in setting up a music archives for traditional and modern music of GB. In that case PNCA said, it can share the recorded data with them.
Dr Fouzia Saeed, DG PNCA, said that “PNCA is a national organization and should have a national presence, in the context of rich culture of GB it was imperative to have a branch office here”.
PNCA has setup an audio recording studio and intends to record the legendary artists of GB as well as young emerging talent to be taken at a National and International level, Dr Fauzia said.
She announced that the first recordings will be of the legendary singer and musician Jan Ali from Gilgit. “These recordings will proved to be a beacon of light for the younger generation,” she added.
Taqi Akhunzada , PNCA’s Board member from GB also hailed this initiative and termed it a historic day. PNCA has a national mandate therefore, its presence in GB is welcomed, he said. He said people of GB would like to see PNCA’s presence in Skardu also.
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