Naved Shehzad
I am on board of directors for NAPA and I've seen it come up from scratch. The board has always been there to support but the effort, commitment and hard work put in by Zia Mohyeddin is phenomenal. The theater they are doing is world class; I would call it a miniature replica of Olivia Theatre. Zia Mohyeddin has worked abroad and made a place for himself but instead of staying there forever he came back because he wanted to do something for his country. And we, through such acts, drive people of his stature away from our homeland. When I was going to India, he gave me money to collect books and music for his library. I can't even state how much attention has been paid to minute details just for the sake of the future of so many students there. Those who are expecting to shift NAPA somewhere else should consider how can we take the whole theatre and the whole set up in new vicinity? I just can't gauge the fact that when the building has become 'abaad', because of the staff and students of NAPA, there are takers for it. How unfair!

Samina Peerzada
It's ironic that we want to erase every thing good from our lives. I am all for NAPA as it is a step forward towards something better and every community could benefit from it. NAPA is the only institution where young people are taught performing arts; we should be building more of such institutions and not destroying the already established ones.

I can't really understand why do they want to give Hindu Gymkhana to the Hindu community? NAPA is not for a religious or social sect, it's for everyone who is interested in arts. When it was dad building, no one really talked about it but now its pulsating, vibrating and has become a happy place so you want to destroy it. There could be a mutual consensus between the two parties. NAPA can conduct classes in mornings and the Hindu community can have their festivals and gatherings in the evenings. We are not a divided nation but are all the same. We have Hindu students studying in NAPA as well and we will be glad if they invite us to their festivals too.

Some very brilliant students have come out of NAPA and some are still in the process of making so I just want to request not to destroy what we gained in 61 years. Zia sahib is not taking the building anywhere; he is just making it a happening place for all!

Rohail Hyatt
I totally support NAPA and what it stands for. But if the foundation is built wrongly than it has to be corrected. I don't know if NAPA stands on a land that has been taken over from a certain community and if that is the case than it should be rectified.

However, NAPA should be given an alternative location. They shouldn't be evacuated to the roadside.

There is a huge area behind Arts Council or any other location that will work for the students and everyone involved. NAPA should be facilitated first. The fact that there is such a hurry makes it seem like there is an agenda. And it shouldn't be politically motivated because NAPA is a hugely important institution.
Benazir Bhutto was a big promoter of arts and culture so the government must keep that spirit alive.

Farhad Humayoun
Farhad didn't know about the NAPA controversy but when Instep told him bout it, he was shocked.

"It's the sole performing arts institute in the country and Zia sahib has worked so hard to make it progress. He is the only credible person in our country who could have handled such an institute and take the task of training people in his hands," says Farhad. "All the issues should have been solved before giving the place to NAPA because now when it's well reputed, there is no point of bringing it up."

"In fact, I was so looking forward to perform in their theatre one of these days. It's such a shame that it might not be there for long."

Hasan Zaidi
Something that has been running successfully for so long and contributing so much to the society can't be closed down so easily. Who are they going to hand it back to? They are just making things up.

Then comes the other allegation that NAPA has altered the historical building thus damaging the heritage of the country. If they are really against it then they should serve a notice to the NAPA authorities. Throwing all of them out of the building is not a solution. They are so sure that it's against the law then take them to court and then the court will decide whether to continue or discontinue it.

But, frankly I believe something that is solely for the benefit of the society and a place where youngsters are actually trained in theatre and music should be preserved not destroyed.

Zainab Qayyum (ZQ)
We got into acting thinking it as a glamorous business but later learnt it is not that easy and the little acting we know is through trial and error. But, at NAPA they are actually training students for a career in acting or music.

The renowned and seasoned actors of our country like Rahat Kazmi, Talat Hussain and Zia Mohyeddin are institutions in themselves and it's an honour that these people are taking out time for the fresh talent and honing them. That's how real actors are made so we can't really stop the whole creative process.
It's time for damage control. There are a lot of unanswered questions as far as the government's acts are concerned and we can't reverse what has already happened. So, instead of pointing fingers we should find solutions. It's better to shift NAPA somewhere else rather than discontinuing it.

Faisal Rafi
Our government is visionless. NAPA means a lot to the artists' community and to the students who've been studying there. It is an important institution.

That said, Arshad Mahmud and Zia Mohyeddin don't form the best management. They roam around in their expensive cars and air conditioned offices while student facilities at NAPA are zilch. Musharraf granted them millions so how is it that they don't provide students with instruments? Three to four students of NAPA are working with me and they weren't provided with instruments.

Most of the (music) students have stayed at NAPA because of Nafees Ahmed and Bashir Khan. As for moving NAPA to another location, it just goes to show
how the vision for the future doesn't exist