21 February 2004	Saturday	29 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Feb 20: Schoolchildren staged plays titled "Chapters from Mughal history" on Friday in Clifton as part of the PSO Karavan Mera Pakistan festival. The children belonged to the Hampton School, Happy Home School, Woodland School, Shah Wilayat Public School and S.M. Aga Khan School.

Dressed in dated costumes, the children depicted various periods of Mughal history though they used few props. They focussed on Babur's qualities of penmanship, strategic planning and his final sacrifice in which he laid down his life for his son Humayun.

They showed how tolerant Humayun was, even towards his arch foe Sher Shah Suri. They commented on the strategic alliances of Akbar, his patronage of learning. They also shed light on the just nature of Jehangir and his wife Noor Jehan's contributions.

They described the aesthetic sensibilities of Shah Jehan and his last days in prison. The children of Beaconhouse School System could not perform the last play, which was about Aurengzeb.

At least 450 students, accompanied by 150 teachers, took part in the festival. The schoolchildren who performed on Friday had also staged the plays at Shahi Qila as part of the three-day festival held jointly by the PSO, UNESCO and the ministry of culture and youth affairs.

Speaking to the audience, Yasmin Lari of the Heritage Foundation stressed the need for familiarizing the children of the country with their heritage and culture. She suggested that plays be staged at world heritage sites in Pakistan so that the schoolchildren could learn about the history of their country.

Congratulating the children on their performances, chief guest Samina Peerzada said they had portrayed the Mughal period very competently. She suggested that these performances should also be taken to other cities and schools.

Referring to opening of the borders between India and Pakistan, she said, "We should not be afraid of the guests from India, but do our utmost to preserve our cultural heritage."

Ms Peerzada said that she would do everything she could to help the Heritage Foundation in promoting and preserving the cultural heritage of Pakistan. Shaha Jamshed, Arif Bahalim and Shahnaz Ramzi also spoke on the occasion.