PESHAWAR: Nishtar Hall, the province`s sole theatre, has always been a litmus test for the views of the ruling party about culture.

Sometimes it is almost on the verge of closure when culture is considered synonymous to vulgarity while at other times it is jam-packed when a music show is deemed a symbol of government`s efforts to promote a soft image of the terrorism-hit province. This hall has seen it all.

Nishtar Hall is a mirror of government`s policies regarding culture and its promotion.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led provincial government, during its seven-month rule, has held functions on public holidays only. A stamp and coin exhibition was also held recently but such activities could not keep a momentum.

It is quite a change for the people, who had started going to shows almost weekly at Nishtar Hall during the last five years. The culture department seems confused which kind of cultural activities should be held in the `Naya Khyber Pakhtunkhwa`. The manifesto of PTI doesn`t say much about the subject.

`Only dance or music is not culture. It (cul-ture) is a way of life,` said a few concerned culture department officials when inquired about any plan of cultural activities. `We would make a culture policy that would focus on promoting Pakistan Ideology, Islam and Pakhtun culture, said an official of the department.

The current lethargy is reminiscent of the lack of will to hold cultural events during the coalition government of religio-political parties JUI-F and JI in 2002 in the province.

During the MMA government, there were no written directives about halting cultural activities in Nishtar Hall, but its lethargy itself killed any spirit left in the place.

There were no cultural gatherings and shows except few declamation contests, religious and political meetings in Nishtar Hall during the MMA rule, a cultural critic said.The ANP-led provincial government during the last five years broke that status quo and held events including musical concerts, fashion shows, competitions, exhibitions, literary gatherings, Ajoka Theater and many other events in Nishtar Hall on weekly basis irrespective of terrorism incidents taking place in the province.

However, the laid-back attitude of the provincial government towards cultural activities may push Nishtar Hall again into its previous state.

The hall, with a capacity of around 500, was inaugurated in 1988. It was taken over by the provincial government in 1992.

The new government has yet to focus on im-proving the condition of the hall and executing the cultural complex scheme and other projects conceived earlier.

These days, only the functions of the private universities and organizations have kept the hall `alive` The local artists still come to perform at such functions refuting the impression that music and song are something that public may not like. People throng Nishtar Hall whenever there is a music show, indicating that residents of the province are craving for music and songs at these troubled times.

`The number of shows has dropped. There has not been many shows here since the new government came into power,` said Neelo, a singer hailing from Swat, who performed frequently at functions in Nishtar Hall earlier.

`Artists are under pressure and poets are becoming psychological patients but we can`t hold events due to prevailing security situation,` said a culture department official.

It is pertinent to mention that in 2009, the bloodiest year that witnessed 45 suicide attacks and many other major blasts like Meena Bazaar explosion, the culture promotion bodies like Tourism Corporation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (the then STC) during the previous government held many festivals, music and cultural shows at Nishtar Hall to provide the terrorism-hit people with a healthy way to vent their feelings.

`What is lacking in the present government is the will to continue with such activities,` said anofficial, requesting not to be named.

He added that some in the government considered music vulgarity while some were only interested in dancing girls and music and did not care much about activities to promote culture.Currently, the culture department, having Rs30 million funds for cultural activities, seems either unwilling or is cautious about making JI, a coalition partner in the government, unhappy by holding any cultural activity it might deem `unIslamic`.