LAHORE: Ajoka is working on its new play, Saira Aur Maira, to pay a tribute to human rights activist the late Asma Jahangir. The premier of the play will be held on coming Saturday (Oct 19) at Alhamra Art Centre, The Mall.

Directed by Shahid Mehmood Nadeem, the play has been specially written by him for the Asma Jahangir Conference 2019 being held in collaboration with legal aid group, AGHS.

Saira Aur Maira is based on true stories of some cases of historic importance handled by Asma Jahangir. Despite its grim subject, it is a celebration of courage and conviction of the women fighting against unjust patriarchal system.

The play has a strong social and emotional impact and striking choreography and heartwarming music are its important elements. Most of its leading actors have been groomed by Ajoka’s acting classes and they will perform in a play for the first time.

Shahid Nadeem, while talking about the new production, said Asma Jahangir was a courageous lady who always raised her voice for oppressed segments of the society. Saira Aur Maira highlights her struggle as human rights lawyer by unfolding real life stories for which Asma received criticism and appreciation at the same time, he said and added that Asma received landmark verdicts against honour killings from the court which was a great victory for the human right movement in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2019