BY : Manzoor Alam Balakoti
Karachi : Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi organized an important press conference regarding “Awami Theatre Festival 2026” at Haseena Moin Hall, in which President Arts Council Mohammad Ahmed Shah, Vice President and senior actor Munawar Saeed, Chairman Drama Committee Shehzad Raza Naqvi and Secretary Arts Council Ejaz Farooqi gave a briefing.
On this occasion, President Arts Council Mohammad Ahmed Shah said that “Awami Theatre Festival 2026” will start from 22 January. The 25-day “Awami Theatre Festival” will continue till 15 February at the AC Auditorium of Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi. On Friday, 6 February, a theatre play “Dukhtar-e-Kashmir” written by Bashir Sadozai will be presented at the Open-Air Theatre. In the Awami Theatre Festival, 30 theatre plays will be presented in Urdu, Punjabi, Memon, Balochi, Saraiki and Sindhi languages. Theatre will start daily at 8 pm, while on Saturday and Sunday two shows will also be presented. He thanked all the media and said that the tradition of Awami Theatre Festival is many years old. We are organizing theatre festivals not only in Karachi but also in Hyderabad and Larkana. He said that people like Moin Akhtar,Umar Sharif and Sikandar Sanam became famous all over the world because of this stage.
We want the public to have such entertainment for which they do not have to pay any fee. Sheema Kermani is also presenting theatre. He further said that our aim is to make drama good. More than actors, it depends on directors how to attract the public. There is complete freedom of creativity in Arts Council, but we will not allow anyone to use “Mujra “and discrimination as acting. The beauty is that you give people happiness through positive things. The better you do your work, the greater number of audiences you will get. He said that there should not be a drama in which families cannot come.
Mohammad Ahmed Shah said that Karachi is our city, Sindh is our province. I believe that it is the responsibility of Arts Council to work in its city and province. We are activating all Arts Councils in Sindh. I consider all Arts Councils as my responsibility. He said that we will soon take charge of Fyzee Rahamin. Film screening has started in Arts Council. Talks are ongoing with film director Nabeel Qureshi; we will give big good news to the public on Eid-ul-Azha. Vice President Arts Council and senior actor Munawar Saeed said that I also started my career from theatre. I started theatre from school. I have always tried to perform my roles with complete honesty. I would also say to actors to do their work with honesty, dedication and hard work.Chairman Drama Committee Shehzad Raza Naqvi said that Ahmed Shah always appreciates artists. Last year also a good Awami Festival was held and hopefully this year will also be good. We will try to convey the message of happiness to our people while staying within the boundaries of culture. In the Awami Theatre Festival, plays by directors and writers Shakeel Shah, Wajiha Warsi, Sohail Abbasi, H. Iqbal, Rizwan Mirza, Syed Ali Dareen, Ehsan Amrohi, Hameed Rathore, Zakir Mastana, Shaukat Utrakhail, Shabbir Bhatti, Azmat Ali, Shameer Rahi, Tasneem Rana, Babar Jamal, Ilyas Nadeem, Nazar Hussain, Aftab Kamdar, Rauf Lala, Shakeel Siddiqui, Wali Sheikh, Danish Baloch, Adam Rathore, Saleem Afridi, Zahoor Malik, Jamal Mujeeb, Rasheed Sabir, Jameel Rahi, Asif Sharmila, Zahid Shah, Khalid Danish, Younus Memon, Rizwan Sabir, Parvez Siddiqui and Sheema Kermani will be presented. The plays include: Seedhi Jaleebi, Mirza Ghalib in Karachi, Hota Hai Shab-o-Roz Tamasha Mere Aage, Ulta Shulta, Bohat Ho Gayi Begum, Tujh Pe Qurban, Yeh Kaisa Daur Hai?, Wah Tera Kya Kehna, Rab Diyan Rehmatan (Punjabi), None Poon, Mere Friend Ki Girlfriend, Be Positive, Panjo Thino Karo (Memon), Bad Rooh, Mareez Crore Ka, Lalay Di Jaan, Watan Ki Mitti, Balochi theatre Kandana Biaay (Hanstay Aao), Saleem Ki Kahani, Pardes (Saraiki), Palna, Ab Kya Hoga?, Tension, Yeh Kaisay Rishtey Hain?, Mohabbat Kya Bhao Hai?, Dil Ji Duniya (Sindhi), Nahlay Pe Dhala and Mujh Mein Tu Maujood.
