“I’ve humbly declined the offer.”
Iffat Omar has declined the position of Cultural Advisor offered by the Punjab Government.
According to reports, she was offered a significant new role in Punjab’s cultural framework.
The Punjab government reportedly offered the position to Iffat, aiming to revamp the province’s approach to promoting arts, heritage, and cultural programming.
However, Iffat has officially declined the offer.
The appointment was said to include an office at Lahore’s Alhamra Cultural Complex, an epicentre for art and culture.
However, Iffat made it clear she would not be accepting the position.
In response to widespread online speculation about her new governmental role, she said:
“I’ve humbly declined the offer.”
It was initially claimed she would be working closely with Punjab’s Information Minister Azma Bukhari to develop and guide public cultural initiatives.
These would have included policy advice, cultural restoration efforts, and the promotion of local talent across the province.
The aim was to close the longstanding gap between the entertainment industry and the government’s cultural outreach programmes.
The news of her supposed appointment sparked enthusiastic reactions online.
Her fans were especially excited, seeing the move as a potential bridge between Punjab’s vibrant entertainment sector and institutional cultural efforts.
However, her public refusal to take on the role shifted the conversation, raising questions about the state’s cultural strategy moving forward.
Iffat Omar, who stepped away from acting in 2022, has been candid about her discontent with the current state of Pakistan’s entertainment industry.
She previously said: “I have decided to quit showbiz because the work is so bad and I criticise it myself.
“To do the work yourself and then critique it as well doesn’t feel right.”
Although she left acting, Iffat did not rule out a return:
“If ever in life I’m offered a really great script, I will think about it – otherwise I’m done.”
Currently, she remains active in the media space through her YouTube show Say It All With Iffat Omar.
There, she hosts conversations with individuals from various fields, discussing topics ranging from culture and politics to mental health and social justice.
Despite stepping away from a formal government role, Iffat Omar continues to influence the cultural conversation in Pakistan.
She has chosen her own platform over official channels to spark dialogue and encourage progress.
Loading ...