Islamabad, Aug 25 (IANS): Pakistan's policymakers are guilty of not using cultural tools to ward off dangerous tendencies, "terrorism being the ugliest of them all", a leading daily said Thursday.

"Policymakers all over Pakistan have so far been guilty of not using the cultural tools at their disposal to ward off dangerous tendencies, terrorism being the ugliest of them all," an editorial in the Dawn said.

"This has led to conceding a lot of ground to the bigots who have been free to recruit more agents of intolerance to their cause. An arts academy is an essential step towards fighting these trends."

"The planned establishment of an arts academy in Peshawar - this is the kind of news everyone was waiting for.

"A pall of dust today hangs over the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa capital...Artistic expressions are metaphors for a people`s resolve to live by tradition. In fact, beyond metaphors these encapsulate popular aspirations," the editorial said.

The Gibran Adeel Cultural Academy will offer courses in singing, dancing, painting, stone-carving, calligraphy, and the performing arts. It will also train aspirants in how to make various musical instruments.