In Pakistan’s Karachi, a push to set the scene for revival of theater

Juliet cries after finding out Romeo had committed suicide in a scene from Urdu-language play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at Zia Mohyeddin auditorium of the National Academy of Performing Arts in Karachi, Pa
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Updated 09 July 2022
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In Pakistan’s Karachi, a push to set the scene for revival of theater

  • Spate of new productions raise hopes Karachi’s theater movement might see second coming
  • Veterans calls for training institutions, original scripts and building more amphitheaters

KARACHI: A string of new stage productions in the megacity of Karachi in recent weeks have rekindled hopes a struggling theater industry might see a revival, with veterans of the field calling for more training institutions and amphitheaters and emphasizing the importance of original scripts in promoting the performance art.

The inception of Urdu theater dates back to 1855 with the play Indrasabha but the distinct voice of Pakistani literature emerged after the partition of India in 1947. Initially, plays centered on themes related to the end of British colonial rule and the Partition but diversified into other subjects and genres over time. One of the most prominent yet controversial writers of the 20th century, Saadat Hasan Manto, wrote about social taboos and much of his writing was adapted for the stage.

During the late 1980s, the stage shows Bakra Qistoon Pay and Buddha Ghar Pe Hai set the tone for comedy performances in Pakistan, which then dominated the stage for the years to come, especially in the 1980s during the reign of military ruler General Zia-ul-Haq, remembered for his strict censorship, when many playwrights and actors using metaphors and satire to criticize the dictatorial regime.

There were also many more theaters in Karachi: a Parsi theosophical theater opposite Radio Pakistan, one at the Pakistan Navy Fleet Club at Lucky Star Chowrangi and a now demolished theater at the Amber Cinema, where the late Umer Sharif, one of Pakistan’s best known comedians, often performed. The Goethe Institute also held theater performances on its lawns. Many of the best known venues no longer exist, and the roughly six functioning theaters in the city of over 15 million rarely put up shows.

But a spate of recent productions have raised hopes Karachi’s theater movement might see a second coming.

The National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) last month launched the first ever Urdu version of ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ a 1597 tragedy by William Shakespeare. The Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) Karachi held 26 performances as part of the “Awami Theater Festival 2022,” which concluded on July 7. And satirist and veteran playwright Anwar Maqsood’s much-anticipated ‘Saadhay 14 August’ will be hitting the stage next month.

“For theater to revive, it is important to have more educated people on board who have learnt the art and know the technicalities,” said Zia Mohyeddin, a veteran British-Pakistani actor, producer, director and television broadcaster, who directed last month’s adaptation of Romeo and Juliet and is a founder of NAPA.




The undated photo shows Zia Mohyeddin, a veteran British-Pakistani actor, producer, director and television broadcaster. (Social media)

Talking about his most recent production, Mohyeddin said many people had asked for free passes instead of buying tickets: “It is important that people buy tickets for theater to survive, make money and create room for more productions.”

He added: “We are just relying on adaptations; we don’t have original scripts and that is a major drawback. We used to have Imtiaz Ali Taj, Rafi Peer who wrote scripts but not anymore. We can only have new productions if we have fresh scripts.”

To set the scene for a genuine revival, Anwar Maqsood said, Pakistan needed to invest in training artists and revive spaces where people could perform, or build new ones.

“We need to create buildings and halls but the government does not pay attention to it,” the playwright and actor told Arab News. “For instance, we can create separate spaces in every major area across Karachi, such as Nazimabad, DHA, etcetera, where theater enthusiasts in the locality can perform. There is so much talent in Karachi.”

Training institutions are also key, as is proven by NAPA, many of whose graduates have made it big in films, television dramas and web series, Mohyeddin said.

“NAPA has contributed heavily to revive theater [in Pakistan] and add value to it,” he added. 

“NAPA has trained so many artists who are not just featured in theater productions but are also making a mark on TV, in films and in web series,” he said. “NAPA pass-outs and alumni are performing in theaters in various parts of the country. They are either on the technical side, or serving as actors and directors. They are also teaching at the training academy set up at the Karachi Arts Council.”

Indeed, the Arts Council remains a key contributor to the development of theater in Pakistan. The platform initiated a training academy around two years ago and would soon launch a theater company, the Council’s President, Mohammad Ahmed Shah, said.

“We are launching a theater company at the Arts Council to provide employment opportunities as well as exposure through stage performances,” he said, adding that most students came from lower or middle income backgrounds.

“We have also approached vice chancellors of various universities, both public and private sector, to create theater societies and promote the art form,” Shah said. “There is so much talent that needs some direction … There is a dire need to have educational institutions for theater training. The few that we have are not enough.”




The picture posted on May 16, 2022 shows people watching a show in National Academy of Performing Arts, Karachi, Pakistan. (NAPA Facebook)

The Arts Council is also supporting smaller institutions in Sindh province, with Shah recently calling a meeting of theater groups in Larkana, Dadu, Thatta, Khairpur and Hyderabad, and promising to train artists from the areas and eventually plan a festival to showcase their performances.

“The Sindh Government has been funding all of our endeavors,” he said, “so I want the entire Sindh to benefit from it.”

But Muneeza Hashmi, chairperson of the Alhamra Arts Council in the central Pakistani city of Lahore, said theater had “unfortunately” never been given due importance and was still not a priority. She said there was currently no theater training program at Alhamra.

“Other than NAPA, there is no training school in Pakistan,” she said. “It is a self-taught skill and then you have to be talented enough to step forward to make a mark.”

“There is no theater in Lahore. There is NAPA doing some work in Karachi and there is nothing happening in Islamabad either,” Hashmi said. “Let’s not even speak of Quetta or Peshawar.”


Pakistan Senate chairman leaves for Saudi Arabia to strengthen bilateral ties

Updated 15 sec ago
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Pakistan Senate chairman leaves for Saudi Arabia to strengthen bilateral ties

  • Yousuf Raza Gillani to meet Saudi Shoura Council chairman, governors of Riyadh and Madinah during visit
  • Pakistan and Saudi Arabia closely cooperate in defense, military, economy, trade and other vital sectors

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani left for a five-day trip to Saudi Arabia on Monday with his visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and promoting institutional cooperation between Islamabad and Riyadh, the Senate Secretariat said. 
The invitation to Gillani and his delegation was extended by Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council, the secretariat said. The Majlis Al-Shoura, or Consultative Council, is a legislative body that advises the Saudi king on issues that are important to Saudi Arabia.
“Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani has left for a five-day trip to Saudi Arabia with a delegation,” the Senate Secretariat said in a statement. 
“The aim of the visit is to further promote bilateral relations and institutional cooperation.”
The Pakistani delegation will hold high-level meetings with the Shoura Council chairman, governors of Madinah and Riyadh, and conduct other high-level meetings, it said. 
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial relations that have resulted in close cooperation in defense, military, economic and other sectors. 
Last month, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed investment agreements worth $2.8 billion while Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pledged to expedite a $5 billion investment portfolio for Islamabad.
Saudi Arabia has frequently bailed Pakistan out of its economic crisis over the years, coming to its aid with loan rollovers and providing oil on deferred payments to Islamabad.


Sri Lankan artist immortalizes Pakistan’s Olympic hero Arshad Nadeem with special painting

Updated 25 min 53 sec ago
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Sri Lankan artist immortalizes Pakistan’s Olympic hero Arshad Nadeem with special painting

  • Arshad Nadeem won Pakistan its first Olympic gold medal since 1992 in August with record-breaking javelin throw
  • Titled “The Throw,” Mueen Saheed’s painting features an abstract portrayal of Nadeem and his mother

ISLAMABAD: Sri Lankan artist Mueen Saheed has paid tribute to Pakistani Olympian Arshad Nadeem by dedicating a “special painting” to the sportsman, state-run media recently reported, as a mark of respect for bagging the gold medal for his country earlier this year. 
Nadeem made history at the Paris Olympics in August by setting a new record for the longest javelin throw in the global competition, winning Pakistan its first gold medal since 1992 with a record-breaking 92.97m javelin throw. 
Saheed last week concluded an art cultural tour in Pakistan where he showcased his artwork at three major exhibitions in Lahore and Islamabad.
“Renowned Sri Lankan artist, Mueen Saheed made a memorable addition to his tour of Pakistan by presenting a special painting dedicated to Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan’s celebrated Olympic gold medalist, to the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA),” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Sunday. 
The painting, now a part of the PNCA’s prestigious permanent collection, pays homage to Nadeem’s remarkable achievements and his role in uniting fans across borders.
Titled “The Throw,” the painting features an abstract portrayal of Nadeem and his mother, veiled behind Saheed’s distinctive brushstrokes and use of small squares, the APP said. 
The presentation ceremony at the PNCA in Islamabad, part of the artist’s “Passages of Light” exhibition, was attended by key figures in the arts and culture sector, including PNCA Director General Muhammad Ayoub Jamali and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. 
“Arshad Nadeem’s story is one of resilience and humility,” Saheed explained. “His victory at the Olympics and the moments of sportsmanship with his Indian counterpart, Neeraj Chopra, were powerful examples of unity in competition.”
Tarar praised Saheed’s gesture, noting the significance of honoring a national hero whose journey resonates beyond sports, inspiring audiences from Pakistan, India, and around the world, the state-run media said.


Belarus President Lukashenko to arrive in Pakistan today amid Islamabad protest

Updated 36 min 56 sec ago
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Belarus President Lukashenko to arrive in Pakistan today amid Islamabad protest

  • Thousands of ex-PM Khan supporters expected to arrive in Pakistan’s capital for anti-government protest
  • Pakistan, Belarus expected to sign several agreements during Aleksandr Lukashenko’s three-day visit to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on a three-day visit today, Monday, as thousands of supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan march toward the capital for an anti-government march. 
Pakistan’s state media said last week that Lukashenko was expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on bilateral cooperation while several agreements would be signed between the two countries. 
His visit comes at a time when thousands of supporters of jailed ex-PM Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party are headed toward Islamabad for a protest “long march.” Khan’s party is demanding his release from prison, independence of the judiciary and protesting against alleged rigging in the February national elections. 
“President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko will undertake three-day visit to Pakistan from today,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. 
As a 68-member delegation from Belarus arrived in Pakistan’s capital on Sunday ahead of Lukashenko’s visit, Pakistan’s government described the PTI’s protest as a “deliberate conspiracy” against the country’s “honor,” vowing stern action against any persons found violating the law. 
The government last week took measures to enhance security in Islamabad, sealing off key highways and motorways leading to the capital from surrounding areas with shipping containers. 
Security in the capital has also been beefed up with the deployment of paramilitary forces and police while the government has suspended Internet services in areas deemed sensitive for security. 
PTI CARAVAN
Meanwhile, the PTI convoy led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur left Peshawar around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday and reached Swabi in the evening, where it was joined by protesters from across the province.
The caravan then proceeded to Ghazi Barotha near Punjab, where it expects resistance from federal authorities.
Hajji Fazal Elahi, a PTI provincial lawmaker, told Arab News the party workers were determined to reach D-Chowk, the protest venue in Islamabad.
“There are hurdles as the government has placed barriers in different places. We will try our best to remove them, but if we don’t succeed, we’ll spend the night here,” he said, referring to Ghazi Barotha.
“We will go to D-Chowk and cross all the barriers, even if it takes a day or two,” he added.


Pakistan says protests cost $684 million daily as Imran Khan’s supporters march on Islamabad

Updated 25 November 2024
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Pakistan says protests cost $684 million daily as Imran Khan’s supporters march on Islamabad

  • Finance Ministry’s estimates exclude losses from IT, telecom sectors and provincial economies
  • Imran Khan has called for protests demanding his release, with demonstrations also held abroad

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance has prepared a report estimating economic losses of Rs190 billion ($684 million) per day due to political protests, Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Sunday, as supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan march toward Islamabad to demand his release.
The protest, led by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has effectively cut off the federal capital from other cities, with authorities using shipping containers to seal all entry and exit points and announcing the closure of all educational institutions in Islamabad.
The disruption has also impacted small businesses, with slow Internet and telecom services further compounding the economic losses.
“Protests result in a daily loss of Rs190 billion,” the finance minister said in a statement circulated by his office, warning of repercussions for the national economy.
According to the ministry’s report, the GDP suffers a daily loss of Rs144 billion, accounting for the largest share of the economic impact. Additionally, a decline in exports results in a daily loss of Rs26 billion, while disruptions in foreign direct investment contribute Rs3 billion to the daily losses.
Losses in the IT and telecom sectors are significant but separate from these figures.
“The federal government’s daily loss is Rs190 billion, while provincial losses are even higher,” Aurangzeb noted, without providing detailed provincial breakdowns.
Khan, who has been incarcerated for over a year on charges he claims are politically motivated, has urged his followers to rally both in Pakistan and abroad.
PTI supporters in countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Spain and Japan have also organized demonstrations, calling for the former prime minister’s release.
As tensions persist, the government remains firm in its resolve to maintain public order, with Finance Minister Aurangzeb stressing that the ongoing unrest is severely undermining the country’s economic recovery efforts.


Pakistan urges climate justice at COP29, highlights gaps in global commitments

Updated 24 November 2024
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Pakistan urges climate justice at COP29, highlights gaps in global commitments

  • It highlights mismatch between developed nations’ pledges and developing countries’ needs
  • Romina Alam says Pakistan is forced into debt to manage the fallout of climate disasters

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top climate change official on Sunday voiced concern over the widening gap between global climate commitments and the needs of vulnerable nations as COP29 ended in Azerbaijan.
Addressing the closing plenary, Romina Khurshid Alam, Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Climate Change, emphasized Pakistan’s acute vulnerability to phenomenon, citing devastating floods, glacial melt, extreme heatwaves and droughts that have affected millions and strained the country’s resources.
“Climate justice is not charity; it is a moral obligation,” she said during her statement, criticizing the mismatch between developed nations’ pledges and the requirements of developing countries to implement their climate plans.
The Pakistani official welcomed the adoption of the Baku Climate Unity Pact, though she expressed “mixed feelings” about the outcomes.
“We note critical gaps in the decisions adopted here,” she said. “Global solidarity is important, but the goals set by developed countries fall short of addressing the needs of developing nations to implement their NDCs [Nationally Determined Contributions] and National Adaptation Plans.”
Alam highlighted the inequity in the international climate finance system, pointing out that countries like Pakistan are being forced into debt to manage the fallout of climate disasters.
“The climate crisis is turning into a debt crisis because the means of implementation are not clear,” she added.
The Pakistani official urged all parties to return to the negotiating table with renewed determination ahead of COP30.
“Multilateralism remains the cornerstone of Pakistan’s climate diplomacy, and we hope for greater equity and commitment in addressing outstanding critical issues,” she added.
Pakistan is ranked as the 5th most vulnerable country to climate change, according to the Global Climate Risk Index. Apart from floods, droughts and heatwaves, the country’s eastern cities in Punjab have also witnessed unprecedented smog, taking the AQI level as high as 2,000.