Peshawar, The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Caretaker Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Barrister Feroze Jamal Shah Kakakhel, highlighted the negative impact of irresponsible social media use on society’s cultural values at an art and design exhibition in Nishtar Hall, Peshawar.
According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Barrister Kakakhel spoke about the challenges posed by social media, particularly the spread of negative attitudes and the invasion of cultural values. He emphasized the need to combat these negative influences by promoting the positive aspects of culture, values, and society. The Minister pointed out the critical role of the youth in countering such attitudes and showcasing the positive elements of their culture and traditions to the world.
The Minister also addressed the misuse of social media and its role in creating an atmosphere of hatred, citing the Kohistan incident as an example where circulated pictures led to a tragic outcome. He assured that strict action would be taken against those spreading hatred and attacking cultural values and traditions, with criminals being brought to justice.
The one-day art and design exhibition, jointly organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority and the Art and Design Department of Peshawar University, saw significant participation. Provincial Finance Minister Ahmad Rasool Bangash also attended the event. The exhibition showcased the artistic and design talents of university students and was well attended by students and citizens alike.
In his speech, Kakakhel also mentioned the efforts of the Acting Minister for Amalgamated Districts, Amir Abdullah, in developing the Amalgamated Districts, particularly for the youth. He highlighted ongoing initiatives to secure uninterrupted funding from the provincial and federal governments and the caretaker government’s commitment to settling matters for the betterment of these areas.
The Minister stressed the importance of providing opportunities to the youth, especially from the merged districts, and noted that keeping Nishtar Hall active is crucial for enabling youth to display their talents. He commended the Culture and Tourism Authority and Peshawar University students for organizing a commendable art and design exhibition.