Punjab’s Information and Culture Minister Azma Bukhari has ordered the sealing of a commercial theatre after a video clip showing a young boy watching an inappropriate dance performance spread rapidly online. The clip showed a boy watching a dance routine at a theatre in Punjab, and once it began circulating, the minister ordered the venue closed.
The footage triggered a wave of criticism from social media users and public figures. Actress and host Mishi Khan was among those who spoke out, sharing the clip on Instagram and calling the performance inappropriate for a child to watch, while urging parents and officials to pay more attention to where children are being taken. She also questioned why the boy appeared to be praising the dancer’s moves and called for stricter rules to protect children.
This is not an isolated step. Punjab authorities have recently taken action against several stage performers and theatre managements in Lahore and Gujranwala, with the Punjab Council of the Arts and the Information and Culture Department issuing show-cause notices over alleged breaches of official policy, the Drama Act, and standard operating procedures, based on monitoring reports from live shows. Separately, some theatre managements have been notified for switching off monitoring cameras during performances, which officials consider a serious violation.
Bukhari has repeatedly said Punjab wants to reduce vulgarity in theatre and encourage shows that families can watch comfortably. Authorities say further action will follow against any venue found breaking the rules.
