Opening night: Stage drama in Mohmand highlights the dark side of FCR

Play offers indirect criticism of the law, says director.

GHALLANAI: The rampant injustices carried out on the back of the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) were brought to the fore through a play staged in Ghallanai, Mohmand Agency on Thursday.

A stage drama titled Gunah mi sa da (What is my crime?) was put up by a group of theatre artistes from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa under a project of Radio Pakistan. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about the importance of proposing reforms in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, the play’s director Iftar Hussain Khan said the play carried a valuable message about the role of FCR in the agency. “The government has recently amended the collective responsibility clause in the FCR,” he said. “However, the changes have had little effect and innocent people continue to bear the brunt of this provision.” According to Khan, the stage drama’s title offers an “indirect criticism on the draconian law”.

“Through such plays we hope to create awareness among the public about their rights,” he added.

Message of peace

Uzair Khan Sherpao, a cast member, said he is pleased to have performed a stage drama in Fata.

“We have received a fairly positive response and the audience was very enthusiastic about our play,” he said. “I have performed in various parts of K-P and the tribal areas and strongly believe Pukhtuns as a nation are peace-loving.” According to Uzair, the play focuses on propagating the message of peace in a part of the country which has been plagued by war and militancy.

An impossible feat

Muneer Hazarwi, another cast member, said the stage drama allowed them the opportunity to perform in Fata. “Once upon a time, we couldn’t imagine performing in Fata,” he said. “However, our commitment to our craft has helped us achieve the impossible feat of performing in the tribal belt.”

Mohmand Political Agent Waqar Ali Khan, who was the chief guest at the occasion, told The Express Tribune, the stage drama was welcome proof of an emerging trend to look beyond the dark phases of the region’s past and take a step towards peace.

“Our priority is to engage the community in promoting peace in the agency,” he said. “We want to promote peace through progress. I strongly urge people to come forward and contribute towards peace and progress in Mohmand Agency.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 8^th, 2015.