SUKKUR: A 10-day ‘Sukkur Theatre Festival’ at the local chapter of the Arts Council of Pakistan got under way on Thursday, according to a press release.

The Sukkur Arts Council’s Lok Virsa Committee Chairman Dr Ayoub Shaikh was the chief guest at the opening ceremony, which was attended by office-bearers and governing body members, besides other prominent personalities. The festival has been organised by the Arts Council Karachi.

The festival features a variety of stage dramas and cultural performances.

A new play would be staged every day at 7:30pm till Aug 30, the press release said. The dramas included Akin Ji Aas, Sach Wado Dhuhari Aayi, Ramkali, Phone Call, Platform, Ghalat Fehmi, Shaoor Ji Golha, Hik Raat Ji Muhabbat, and Musawwir.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Shaikh praised the Urdu play, Badsoorat directed by Saleem Raja, and encouraged families in attendance to regularly communicate with their children and youth.

He highlighted the importance of an open dialogue within families to combat the rising trend of consuming gutka, mainpuri and other harmful substances.

President of the Sukkur Arts Council Mumtaz Bukhari expressed his gratitude to the Arts Council Karachi, especially its head Mohammad Ahmed Shah, for its persistent interest and support in organising the festival in Sukkur for a third time.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2025