Karachi: Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi host a press conference for the theater production “House Arrest”, collaborated with KopyKats Productions at Haseena Moin Hall. Renowned intellectual and satirist Anwar Maqsood, President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah, and director Dawar Mehmood gave a briefing to the press. The play is written by Anwar Maqsood and directed by Dawar Mehmood. On this occasion, President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah shared the news that Anwar Maqsood’s new play, “House Arrest”, will commence at the Arts Council starting from January 15, 2025. He expressed appreciation for the media’s continuous support in covering the Arts Council’s events. He mentioned that the Awami Theater Festival will also inaugurate today, and an Aalmi Urdu Conference is set to take place in December.
According to Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Anwar Maqsood had been working on the ideas for this play for the past two years. Jokingly, he said that perhaps Anwar Maqsood must have done something in his childhood era that might have warranted handcuffs. Reflecting on the Arts Council’s history, Ahmed Shah noted that when the theaters were gathering dust, Maqsood’s play “Ponay 14 August” revived them. He fondly remembered the late Fatima Surayya Bajia, who was a governing body member of the Arts Council until her last days. She used to say that you could judge a person’s civility by their kitchen and bathroom cleanliness. Shah shared that he would remember her at the upcoming Aalmi Urdu Conference. He added that when violence plagued the city, with dozens of deaths occurring daily, Anwar Maqsood stood by them.
Anwar Maqsood humorously remarked that he had handcuffs on his hands in his childhood era and now has a metaphorical handcuff on his tongue in his old age. He said that Dawar asked him if the play was critical of the constitution, government, politicians, or religious figures. In response, he replied with a laugh that it wasn’t. After considering and changing nearly nine titles, he ultimately selected “House Arrest”. He teased the audience, saying that the story is highly entertaining and filled with comedy, and it would be more enjoyable to experience it in the theater. Director Dawar Mehmood expressed that working with Anwar Maqsood is an honor, and he aims to deliver a memorable performance to the audience. He commented on the difference between cities, noting that while Karachi is bustling with events, Islamabad’s activities have been curtailed by political disruptions. The play “House Arrest”, presented by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi and KopyKats Productions, will begin on January 15, 2025, and
conclude before Ramadan.