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A notification from the Punjab Council of the Arts has gone viral online, with many on X incorrectly suggesting it lists 132 songs banned in the province during Basant, the traditional spring festival that is seeing a revival after 18 years. The notification in question places the ban on the use of the songs in theatre and stage performances.

Some of the songs included on the list are ‘Aa Galay Lag Ja’, ‘Raat da Andhaira Way’, Mennu Lagda Darr Way’ and ‘Gaddi La Day Prado’.

On Monday, Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bokhari posted on X, quoting a post claiming that the songs were banned for Basant, and asked where Basant had been mentioned in the notification. She said the songs had been banned in theatres, calling them “stains on the name of music and songs”.

She questioned whether they could even be called songs or poetry.

Yaseen Bhatti, the spokesperson for the minister, confirmed to Images that the notification only applied to theatre performances and stage plays, not Basant.

The January 23 notification, a copy of which is available to Images, said the songs had been banned for their lyrics, which were “unethical” and carried double meanings. It said the songs had been banned in line with theatrical performance SOPs issued by the Information and Culture Department in a letter in August.

In an appearance on SAMAA TV on Monday, the minister accused someone from the theatres of leaking the notification to the media, saying the authorities were not against dance, but, “These songs can’t be called songs, their verses can’t be called poetry and what happens when they’re played can’t be called dance.”

Bokhari said the government can’t stop people from listening to these songs if they choose to, but it will act against inappropriate performances in theatres. “Whatever you want to do in your personal lives, that’s of no concern to me, but not in the name of theatre,” she said.

The minister decried the fact that theatre in Pakistan often involved such vulgarity, while it is considered a vehicle for social engagement and awareness in other countries.

As the province gears up for the long-awaited festival which is set to take place in Lahore from February 6 to 8, the government imposed a ban on the manufacture and use of kites bearing political party flags.

Strict measures are in place to prevent injuries from kite-flying, including a ban on nylon and metallic kite lines. Violators may face fines of up to Rs5 million and jail terms of up to five years.

Cover photo: Arif Ali/White Star