Stage play: Record of licences issued by Home Dept sought

Petitioner seeks govt permission to present theatre shows.

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court on Thursday sought record of licences issued by the Home Department for theatrical performances since 2006.

Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed issued the order on a petition by Sheikh Muhammad Yaqoob, the owner of Venus Theatre, Sargodha, who has sought permission to stage plays at his theatre.

The petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Rai Muhammad Usman, said that his client had been holding entertainment events including plays for the last 10 years. He said that he had performed Chan Sajna and Begum Dhokey Baaz in 2002 and 2003. He said that both the plays were staged strictly in accordance with the terms and conditions set by the authorities.

He said that the petitioner had again applied for permission to stage plays, but it was refused. A law officer on behalf of the Punjab government informed the court that fresh permissions were not being granted since 2006. The petitioner’s counsel pointed out that the Home Department had granted permission for theatrical activities in Naghma theatre in Sargodha from January 20, 2008 to January 20, 2009. He complained that the petitioner was being discriminated against.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2011.