RAWALPINDI: A classic Pakistan Television children’s programme called Ainak Wala Jinn was staged at the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) on Tuesday, in connection with the Punjab culture department’s attempts to revive theatrical performances.

The stage adaptation was held at the RAC auditorium as well as the Sir Syed Public School, a private school on Tipu Road, in two shifts on the same day.

At the RAC, PML-N MNA Tahira Aurangzeb attended the performance, accompanied by Punjab Council of the Arts Deputy Director Khawaja Nazarul Islam and RAC Resident Director Waqar Ahmed.

The play opens with two original cast members, Muna Lahori as Zakota Jinn and Haseeb Pasha as Hamon Jadogar, and new cast members

Kazim Raza, Javeria Khan, Zoeya, Arooj Fatima, Bablo Mastana, Waleed bin Matloob and Faisal Lahori.

Ainak Wala Jinn reached the height of its popularity between 1993 and 1996, and will be staged across Punjab in August and September at the division level.

Hamon Jadogar plays the lead role, and tells various stories aimed at spread moral and ethical messages to children through magic tricks.

During the play, the two main characters also paid tribute to the Pakistan movement and the country’s martyrs who died defending the country in Fata and in other border areas.

Ms Aurangzeb said the play was staged to raise awareness among people about unity and patriotism. She said the government was working hard to implement the National Action Plan (NAP), to protect the country’s future. She said the younger generations should be educated about the country’s past.

Mr Ahmed said children enjoyed performances with good lessons, and said the play would be performed at all the divisional headquarters in the province to highlight the government’s achievements regarding the NAP against terrorists.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2016