Govt to preserve, promote dying crafts: Shafqat Mahmood

ISLAMABAD, Mar 12 (APP):Federal Minister for Education, Professional Training and National Heritage Shafqat Mahmood Tuesday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government would promote, preserve dying crafts and encourage master artisans to train the new generation.
He stated this while addressing the opening ceremony of a three-day “National Exhibition of Dying Crafts of Pakistan” as a chief guest here at National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa).
Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training Wajiha Akram, Executive Director Lok Virsa Shaheera Shahid, Master Artisans and large number of schools students were also present on the occasion.
Appreciating the efforts of Lok Virsa for preservation and promotion of dying crafts, the minister said that permanent space would be provided to the artisans for displaying their artwork and dying crafts.
He said that master artisans of endangered skills and crafts would be engaged to train new generation.
Shafqat Mahmood said that it was very essential for any culture to promote and preserve its arts, crafts and music.
He said that present government was committed to take steps for the preservation and promotion of dying crafts.
The minister said that his ministry would collaborate with Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to devise a comprehensive plan for the preservation of arts and crafts.
In her remarks, Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training, Wajiha Akram lauded Lok Virsa for organizing a three-day National exhibition of dying crafts of Pakistan.
She highly praised the work of master artisans and lauded the live performances of artists representing all four provinces including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir.
She said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was taking steps for promoting the arts and crafts.
Earlier, in her welcome remarks, Executive Director Lok Virsa Shaheera Shahid said that the objective of the exhibition was to promote dying skills and crafts.
“Master artisans of endangered skills from all provinces, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir were participating in this exhibition” she said.
She said “Dying crafts should be made part of course books to educate our young generation.”
Craft experts also presented paper and multimedia presentations to highlight the importance of craft heritage.
The opening ceremony was also includes live performances by folk musical instrumentalists and multi-media presentations on dying crafts.
Earlier, the minister also visited various stalls and observed live demonstrations of artisans. He highly praised the artisans.