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Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Drama fest ends with award ceremony
Artistes from across the country showcase their talents at the Punjab Council of Arts, Rawalpindi. Photo: EXPRESS The Punjab Council of the Arts, Rawalpindi, hosted the grand closing ceremony of the Regional Drama Festival, aimed at reviving family theatre and offering high-quality entertainment to the public. A total of 13 drama teams participated, presenting plays on various social and cultural themes, showcasing their artistic talent in full form. Parliamentary Secretary for Auqaf and Religious Affairs, Government of Punjab, Malik Iftikhar Ahmed, was the chief guest. He distributed certificates of appreciation and shields to the participating artists, directors, and members of the Drama Scrutiny Committee. Speaking on the occasion, he praised the artists as a valuable national asset who promote Pakistani culture and bring pride to the nation through their talent. Prominent personalities who graced the closing ceremony included Founder of the Arts Council Naheed Manzoor, renowned poet Dr Afshan, former Arts Council Director Chaudhry Waqar Ahmed, PTV News Producer Malik Waqar, officers from the PNCA, along with noted artists, poets, and writers from Rawalpindi and Islamabad. In his address, Director of the Punjab Council of the Arts, Rawalpindi, Muhammad Shakoor, extended heartfelt thanks to all distinguished guests, drama teams, scrutiny committee members, and attendees.
Express Tribune
09-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Selection for local Zakat committees begins
The selection process for 1,166 local Zakat committees, which had been dissolved for the past two years, has begun in Rawalpindi. Meanwhile, the appointment of district chairpersons for the provincial Zakat councils is expected to take place next week. Two names for each district chairperson have been shortlisted by deputy commissioners and sent to the Provincial Zakat Council. The selection of chairpersons and members for the 1,166 local Zakat committees is also expected to be completed within two weeks. This year, Zakat beneficiaries faced severe disappointment during Eidul Fitr due to the financial crisis. Families living below the poverty line, widows, orphans, blind individuals, and families of leprosy patients did not receive any financial aid or Eid gifts, leaving their Eid celebrations marred. In Rawalpindi Division, which includes Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Muree, and Talagang, 10,000 Zakat beneficiaries were deprived of Eid gifts due to the financial crisis. However, this month, the approval has been granted to pay living allowances to Zakat beneficiaries, with 24 crore rupees allocated for the Rawalpindi district. Each beneficiary family will receive 24,000 rupees as a one-time payment through a mobile app. This will cover the Zakat for the past 14 months, which had not been provided before. The funds will be distributed among poor families, blind individuals' families, and leprosy patients' families in Rawalpindi district. Half of the funds will be used for free operations in district hospitals, scholarships for deserving poor students, free education in technical institutions, and registered religious schools and special education institutions. Zakat beneficiary Faiza Begum expressed that the one-time allowance would greatly improve the family's financial situation, although she regretted not receiving any aid during Eid. She requested that the monthly allowance be paid regularly or quarterly as it was done previously. Provincial Parliamentary Secretary for Zakat Council, Malik Iftikhar Ahmed, stated that the monthly allowance has been increased from 1,500 to 2,000 rupees, and the dowry fund for poor girls has been raised from 25,000 to 100,000 rupees. Additionally, financial aid for leprosy patients, blind individuals, and disabled families has also seen an increase of 500 rupees.
