FEMALE ARTISTS BACK TO STAGE IN PAKISTAN

Islamabad, June 8 (PTI) It seemed like old times again when women performed with the Janbaz Circus in Pakistan's restive North West Frontier Province after a gap of five years. The cheering audience that gathered in the provincial capital of Peshawar to watch the circus was surprised by the many stunts performed by a 16-year-old gymnast Shabana. They clapped and some people even danced when the female artists came on stage. The N.W.F.P's previous hardline Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal government had ordered circus managements to exclude music, dance and performances by female artists during its five-year rule. The Punjab-based Janbaz Circus, one of the best circuses in Pakistan, organised its performances for entertainment-starved Peshawaris at the Army Stadium after the new government led by the secular Awami National Party assumed office. "It was great to see gymnasts, magicians, musicians, dancers and drama artists performing on a single platform," Zarmina, 18, told 'The Daily Times'. The circus attracted a large number of people, including women who were seated in a special section for families. Wahidullah, a student of the University of Peshawar, said: "It is heartening that the present government is encouraging such cultural programmes and ensuring female participation." Shabana, the circus artist, was elated. But she regretted that during the previous government's tenure, "extremists" had harassed the circus managements and stopped performances bywomen artists.