Karachi: The Awami Theatre Festival at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi reached an emotional high point on its 16th day with the staging of the powerful theatrical production “Dukhtar-e-Kashmir”, presented in connection with Kashmir Solidarity Day. Written by renowned playwright Bashir Saddozai and directed by Adam Rathore, the play emerged as one of the most impactful performances of the festival, receiving an overwhelming response from a packed audience.
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The ensemble cast — Shanzay, Warda, Ajnabi, Sapna Ghazal, Nadeem Malik, Shehzad Malik, Ilyas Nadeem, Shareef Baloch, Abdullah Lala, Kamal Idrees, Manzoor Malik, Mehak Noor, Shahina, and Javed Qureshi — delivered emotionally charged and compelling performances, earning sustained applause and heartfelt appreciation from spectators.
“Dukhtar-e-Kashmir” went beyond conventional theatre, presenting a powerful narrative rooted in history, resistance, and collective memory. Staged on Kashmir Solidarity Day, the play conveyed a clear message of unity and support from Pakistani artists for the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle for self-determination. The production combined artistic expression with political consciousness, transforming the stage into a platform of solidarity and protest.
The play traced the long-standing Kashmiri struggle, emphasizing that the demand for self-determination predates the partition of the subcontinent. It highlighted that despite immense sacrifices, the journey toward freedom continues, and retreat is no longer an option. The narrative referenced political and resistance figures such as Sheikh Abdullah, Syed Ali Geelani, Yasin Malik, and Asiya Andrabi, while also touching upon alleged conspiracies surrounding Kashmiri Pandits under the Modi government.
Through intense and moving scenes, the play depicted the harsh realities of life in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, pellet gun violence, and the enduring pain of grieving mothers. At the same time, it remained a story of resilience and hope, portraying the unbreakable spirit that lives on in Kashmiri households.
Womanhood stood at the heart of the narrative, symbolizing the Kashmiri nation itself. The Kashmiri woman was portrayed as daughter, mother, and sister — a figure subjected to immense suffering yet embodying the strongest form of resistance.
By restoring human faces to a conflict often reduced to political terminology, “Dukhtar-e-Kashmir” reminded audiences that Kashmir is not merely a territorial issue but a land of living people with dreams, fears, and unwavering hope. The open-air theatre remained filled to capacity as audiences paid tribute to the performers and the profound message of the play with prolonged applause.
