The Nishtar Hall in Peshawar, Pakistan, is a cultural centre and music venue. It was founded in 1985 to promote Pashtun culture. It is the city’s only large entertainment center and has a capacity of 600 people. The building was formerly closed during the MMA government, but reopened after five years.
Nishtar Hall is a cultural centre in Peshawar
The government has announced plans to revive the Nishtar Hall in Peshawar for cultural activities during Eidul Azha. This will provide opportunities for local artistes to gain livelihood by performing for an audience. The Pashto showbiz industry has welcomed the government’s move to revive the hall. The hall has been used for religious, political and cultural functions. Its re-opening has been welcomed by eminent Pashto singers.
This heritage building is considered the epitome of traditional architecture in Peshawar. The building was once a beautiful haveli in the Sethi Mohallah. It was almost demolished but for the efforts of Farida Nishtar and Yasmeen Lari.
Iran and Pakistan have strong cultural and religious ties. Moreover, they share similar languages, heritage and history. Such common ground could help promote trade by creating people-to-people contacts. Cultural and sports exchange programmes would be a good way to promote the relationship between the two countries.
It was closed during the MMA government
The former MMA government banned the opening of Nishtar Hall Peshawar and many local artists were affected by the closure. The leadership of the MMA government claimed that the hall was a major source of obscenity and vulgarity. During the shutdown, the hall also had to close its under-construction open-air theatre.
Many people attributed this closure to the government’s campaign against cinema houses in the city. But, the MMA government was not the only one to cause this problem. The MMA had already been pursuing a campaign against cinema houses in the city. That’s why they closed the Nishtar Hall and many others.
The closure of Nishtar Hall Peshawar was accompanied by a backlash from local artists. As a result, local musicians and artists staged violent protests. They described the move as “Pakistan Talibanisation”. As an example, a Pushto singer was beaten up for singing in public.
In the end, the provincial government released Rs 1 million to Rs1.5 million to support the Nishtar Hall. The money is used to pay salaries for the hall’s 21 staff members. This will cover the hall’s expenses for another eight to nine months.
The provincial government also imposed a code of conduct for the cultural functions to be held at Nishtar Hall Peshawar. This means that dramas and shows performed at the hall have to conform to local cultural norms. Similarly, outstation female film artists can only perform in the hall if they are approved by a supervisory committee.
It was hit by coronavirus
It’s no secret that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been hit by the coronavirus pandemic. This outbreak has severely affected showbiz in the province. Artists in the province have called on the government to help them financially. But so far, they have received no concrete support. As a result, they are seeking help from the arts community. They claim that the coronavirus pandemic has led to restrictions in their work and livelihood. In fact, they are forced to work with reduced salaries and have been unable to make ends meet.
The outbreak of the coronavirus has also shut down live music venues and wedding halls in Peshawar. Many of these venues host political, social, and religious ceremonies. Since the coronavirus has caused the death toll to rise, the government has implemented new measures to protect its citizens from the virus. Starting November 20, people in big cities in Pakistan are not allowed to hold large gatherings in wedding halls. Instead, they can hold these events in open spaces with a capacity of no more than 1,000 people.
Pakistan has taken several measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak. The government has designated hospitals for infected people. It has also established quarantine centers and testing facilities. It has also increased public awareness and coordinated with local communities.
It was reopened after five years
The province’s caretaker government has decided to reopen the Nishtar Hall, which has been closed for five years due to conflict. The provincial government plans to promote cultural activities in the hall. It will also allow CD sellers to exhibit banners and posters.
The Nishtar Hall is the only large theatre in Peshawar. It has a capacity of 600 people and hosts musical events almost daily. The hall is usually packed with enthusiastic spectators before every function. The former government’s closure was a major setback for performing artists and a major blow to cultural activities in the Frontier capital. But the recent reopening has brought back the Nishtar Hall to its former glory. The KPK Culture Department will release the schedule for the hall’s shows and will follow its own code of conduct.
The government’s decision to close the Nishtar Hall followed a string of violent protests by local artists. Peshawarites take pride in their music, so the closure was an unwelcome development. Peshawarites dubbed it the “Pakistani Talibanisation” movement. One Pushto singer was even beaten up for singing in public.
In the meantime, the province’s culture department has announced a new code of conduct for cultural functions at the Nishtar Hall. This means that performances must conform to local cultural norms and customs. Also, women who are performing in the hall must dress properly. Moreover, any performance by a female artist outside the province must have the permission of the supervisory committee.
It is a lone venue for Pashto showbiz
The decision of the Government of Pakistan to reopen Nishtar Hall Peshawar in time for Eidul Azha celebrations has sparked excitement among Pashto showbiz artists. Performing artists are hopeful that the hall will provide positive entertainment for the people and create opportunities for them to earn livelihood. Some of the most well-known Pashto singers and actors have welcomed the decision.
The opening ceremony of the show was attended by ANP leader Syed Aqil Shah, who founded the culture directorate during the previous government’s tenure. He also reopened the Nishtar Hall to facilitate cultural activities. He noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa enjoys an ethnic and linguistic diversity and has produced many great artists and heroes across various fields.
Pashto cinema was once thriving in Peshawar. It reached its height in the 1970s. However, the Zia regime and the war on terror have severely affected the industry. It is now struggling for survival. The federal government should provide support to revive the cinema culture in Peshawar.
It is a symbol of Pashtun culture
The Nishtar Hall is a cultural centre and music venue in Peshawar, Pakistan. Founded in 1985, it is the only large entertainment venue in the city, and has a capacity of 600 people. It was closed for eight years, but reopened in the early 2000s. Among its attractions is its performance of traditional Pashto music.
The decision to reopen Nishtar Hall Peshawar was welcomed by the Pashto showbiz industry. Not only will it offer positive entertainment to the masses, it will also provide opportunities for local artists to earn livelihoods. Pashto artists, including some of the country’s most famous singers, have expressed their gratitude for the decision.
The cultural heritage of the Pashtun people is based on Islam and Pashtunwali, a traditional language. The most famous Pashto tribes are the Durrani, Lodi, and Suri, among others. Among their traditional dishes are tikkah, kachumba, and special long naans.
Peshawar is a conservative Islamic city with a rich history. The old city is home to many historic monuments and crafts. The city was once surrounded by a thick wall. The city wall had sixteen gates, with the most famous one being the Kabuli Gate. The walls are constructed of pucca brick.
In 2002, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) religious party took power in Peshawar. It banned public musical performances and banned the use of recorded music on public transport. This ban left scores of artists unemployed. However, this ban didn’t prevent artists from making CDs and selling them in Pashto-speaking areas. After the election of the secular Awami National Party (ANP) in 2008, restrictions were lifted, but not all the cultural freedoms were restored.
