PM gives formal approval to recommendations by intellectuals, artists
ISLAMABAD, Sep 10 (APP)  - Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday formally approved the implementation by respective ministries and divisions of the decisions announced in his address to the nation on August 14. The recommendations were based on his exhaustive sessions with artists and intellectuals from across the country held during the months of July and August 2011.
The following announcements were made:
a)    Establishment of the Federal Government Artists Fund with seed money of Rs 200 million. The renowned writers and artists from across the country will from part of the Steering Committee to operate this fund.
 b)    Establishment of “National Book Museum” and April 22 will be observed as National Book Day annually.
 c)    Appointment of Cultural Attaches’ in Pakistan’s Missions abroad where such posts are presently not existing.
 d)    Inclusion of writers, poets and artists in the Prime Minister entourage during his foreign visits.
 e)    Establishment of a film studio and a state of the art film laboratory on fast track basis in Islamabad.
 f)    Commissioning  and construction of a Cinema house in Islamabad.
 
 g)    Opening of a “Classical TV Channel” to take care of our classical music, and promotion of our cultural heritage through feature films, drama broadcasting and other literary programmes.
 h)    Organizing more Federal and Provincial sports festivals.
 
 i)    Radio Pakistan and PTV should enhance the wages being paid to
 the artists.