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Awami Theatre Festival 2026 to begin in Karachi on January 22 | The Express Tribune
Organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan, it will feature free theatre performances in multiple regional languages
The Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, has announced the return of its annual Awami Theatre Festival, which will run from January 22 to February 15, 2026, featuring a month-long programme of free theatrical performances in multiple regional languages.
The announcement was made at a press conference held at Haseena Moin Hall, where Arts Council President Mohammad Ahmed Shah outlined the scope and objectives of the festival alongside Vice President and senior actor Munawar Saeed, Chairman of the Drama Committee Shehzad Raza Naqvi, and Secretary Ejaz Farooqi.
Mr Shah said the 25-day festival would be staged at the Arts Council’s Auditorium, with daily performances beginning at 8pm. Additional shows will be held on Saturdays and Sundays. A special open-air performance of Dukhtar-e-Kashmir, written by Bashir Sadozai, is scheduled for February 6.
According to the organisers, the festival will present 30 plays in Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Seraiki, Balochi and Memon, reflecting what Mr Shah described as the council’s long-standing commitment to accessible and culturally rooted theatre.
“The Awami Theatre Festival is a tradition that spans decades,” Mr Shah said, adding that similar festivals are also organised in other Sindh cities, including Hyderabad and Larkana. He noted that many of Pakistan’s most recognisable stage performers — including Moin Akhtar, Umar Sharif and Sikandar Sanam — rose to national prominence through the Arts Council’s theatre platform.
Emphasising the festival’s free-entry model, Mr Shah said the aim was to provide family-friendly entertainment without financial barriers. He underlined that while the Arts Council allows broad creative freedom, it maintains clear boundaries.
“This is a space for meaningful, positive theatre,” he said. “Creative liberty does not mean vulgarity or discrimination. Our stages should welcome families, and the responsibility for that lies as much with directors as with actors.”
He also spoke about wider institutional plans, including the revival of film screenings at the Arts Council and upcoming developments related to Fyzee Rahamin. Talks are underway with filmmaker Nabeel Qureshi, with an announcement expected around Eid-ul-Azha, he added.
Vice President Munawar Saeed, addressing the media, reflected on his own beginnings in theatre and urged participating artists to approach their roles with sincerity and discipline. “Theatre teaches you honesty,” he said. “If you remain truthful to your character and committed to your craft, the audience responds.”
Chairman Drama Committee Shehzad Raza Naqvi said last year’s festival had received a positive response and expressed hope that this edition would further strengthen the connection between theatre and the public. “Our aim is to entertain while remaining within cultural and ethical boundaries,” he said.
Among the productions scheduled for the festival are Seedhi Jaleebi, Mirza Ghalib in Karachi, Bohat Ho Gayi Begum, Yeh Kaisa Daur Hai?, Wah Tera Kya Kehna, Rab Diyan Rehmatan (Punjabi), Panjo Thino Karo (Memon), Pardes (Seraiki), Kandana Biaay (Balochi), Dil Ji Duniya (Sindhi) and Mujh Mein Tu Maujood, which will conclude the festival.
