President Pervez Musharraf has said that Pakistan has been "stagnant for the last 30 years in the fallacy that art and culture clash with Islam."
"Art and culture are not in clash with Islam," Musharraf said while opening the World Performing Arts Festival 2006 in Lahore. The Daily Times newspaper quoted him as saying: "Cultural activities are not un-Islamic."
Whether Islam permits art and music is an ongoing debate in Pakistan where sections of Muslim clergy say it does not. They have accused Musharraf of trying to "secularise" Pakistan.
Musharraf commended the role of private companies like the Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop, organisers of the festival, for promoting "a soft image" of Pakistan abroad, saying that his government was also trying to do the same through the promotion of culture, art and sports".
He said the government was also promoting art and culture by setting up museums and galleries. The National Academy of Performing Arts and National Heritage Museum had been set up, and monuments were being built in Islamabad and Lahore, such as Bab-e-Pakistan.
A Pakistan Movement Museum is also being set up in Islamabad, he added.
His government last month set up a Sufi Council to promote the teachings of Sufism, again as part of promoting Pakistan's 'soft' power.
{{/usCountry}}His government last month set up a Sufi Council to promote the teachings of Sufism, again as part of promoting Pakistan's 'soft' power.
{{/usCountry}}Artistes from several countries are participating in the festival. An Indian troupe performed Rajasthani dance Gidha on the opening day.