President of the Arts Council Muhammad Ahmed Shah has announced the commencement of the Awami Theatre Festival 2026, set to ignite the stage from January 22 to February 15.
The 25-day cultural extravaganza will be held at the Arts Council Auditorium (AC Auditorium) and the Open Air Theatre.
During a press conference alongside veteran actor Munawar Saeed and Chairman of the Drama Committee Shehzad Raza Naqvi, Ahmed Shah revealed that the festival will feature 30 theatrical performances in diverse regional languages, including Urdu, Punjabi, Memoni, Balochi, Seraiki, and Sindhi.
A play titled “Dukhtar-e-Kashmir,” written by Bashir Sadozai, will be performed on Friday, February 6.
Daily performances at 8:00 PM, with matinee shows scheduled for Saturdays and Sundays.
In a major move for public entertainment, entry to these plays will be free of cost.
Renowned artists and directors, including Sheema Kermani, Shakeel Siddiqui, Rauf Lala, and Nabeel Qureshi, are part of the festivities.
Ahmed Shah emphasized that the council’s mission is to provide quality entertainment while promoting regional languages and director-led storytelling.
He also hinted at a major “Eid-ul-Azha surprise” for the public and confirmed the upcoming management of the Fyzee Rahamin Art Gallery.
With plays ranging from the classic “Mirza Ghalib in Karachi” to the Sindhi-language “Dil Ji Dunya,” the festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of Pakistan’s diverse performing arts.
