LAHORE, Sept 28: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday issued a notice to the Ministry of Culture on a petition, seeking removal of ban on Ajoka Theatre’s play ‘Burqavaganza’.

The petitioner Ajoka Theatre said through its Artistic Director Madiha Gauhar the ministry imposed a ban on the play after female members of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) moved a call attention notice in the National Assembly. The petitioner said the audience praised the play because it addressed an ‘extremely relevant’ issue in the backdrop of Jamia Hafsa episode. “It exposed the hypocrisy and double standards and touched social issues such as gender discrimination, political corruption, moral policing by vigilantes and American atrocities against Muslims.”

The petitioner said certain female lawmakers of the MMA raised the issue in the National Assembly on April 26, claiming the play was against the injunctions of Islam. “In his panicked response to their protest, Federal Minister GG Jamal said the Punjab government had been asked to stop the play until its scrutiny.” —Reporter