BAHAWALPUR: Activists of Majlis-i-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) took out a procession on Friday to condemn the suicide attack at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan that claimed over 70 lives.

The procession originated from Shia Jamia Masjid on the women’s hospital road after Friday prayers. It paraded through Circular Road and reached Farid Gate where party leaders addressed the participants. They condemned the attack and urged the army chief to wipe out terrorists.

The participants held placards and banners against terrorism and raised slogans in support of Pakistan Army. Meanwhile, security was beefed up in the city for Friday congregations at various places.

THEATRE: The first five-day interactive theatre workshop on ‘Peace-building through creative expression’ for youth commenced at Rashadia Hall under the aegis of Bahawalpur Arts Council (BAC).

The workshop has been organised by the BAC in collaboration with Interactive Resource Centre (IAC) Lahore for about 30 selected students from Islamia University (IUB), Government Postgraduate College and National College of Business Administration and Economics.

During the workshop, participants would be trained on themes of human rights and peaceful conflict resolution through various activities and art mediums such as interactive theatre, visual arts, music, film and citizen journalism and photography.

Talking to Dawn, BAC Resident Director Rana Aijaz Ahmed, Coordinator Prof Dr Shehzad and IAC Director Muhammad Waseem, Athar Jahania and other instructors said a sustained and vigorous policy framework for the promotion of art and literature was vital to establish a peaceful, prosperous and progressive society.

Ahmed said that the participants had the potential to defeat extremism through their art camp, while Jahania said the IAC was striving for projecting an image of Pakistan by promoting peace, tolerance and cultural heritage.

Bahawalpur Waste Management Company Chairman Samiullah Chaudhry during his visit to the workshop announced that the company would launch a consolidated programme of theatrical performances in all 82 union councils of the district to create awareness among people regarding sanitation and end environmental pollution in rural areas.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2017