ISLAMABAD: Former information minister Marriyum Aurangzeb unveiled Pakistan’s first music policy this week, aimed at preserving and promoting the nation’s artistic heritage while offering legal protection for creative works crafted by local musicians.
The country has a rich and diverse musical heritage that encompasses a wide range of styles and traditions, including classical music, qawwali, ghazals, and folk songs.
Pakistani artists have also received global acclamation for their use of traditional instruments like the rabab and sitar, which they have employed to create captivating melodies and rhythms.
“Delighted to have launched Pakistan’s first-ever music policy before the end of my term as information minister,” Aurangzeb wrote on the messaging platform X on Thursday.
She informed that the outgoing federal cabinet of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the policy in its final meeting on August 9.
She added the policy would help strengthen the country’s existing music landscape and provide legal protection to the works created by Pakistani artists.
“I am grateful to all those who contributed to this landmark policy, including artists, lawyers, and officials of the [information ministry],” she said.
Aurangzeb added she was particularly grateful to PM Sharif and his federal cabinet for approving the policy and turning it into a reality.”
The former Pakistani information minister also launched PTV Flix, a new video-streaming and over-the-top (OTT) platform for viewers across the globe, in April this year. People can now access the state-owned television channel’s content on their TV and mobile phone screens.
