The government has for the meantime banned a satirical play about the burqa, Culture Minister Dr Ghazi Gulab Jamal told the National Assembly on Thursday. ‘Burqavaganza’ played earlier this month at the Panjpani Indo-Pak Theatre Festival in Lahore. | “The burqa is part of our culture. We can’t allow anyone to ridicule our culture,” Dr Jamal said. |
“The burqa is part of our culture. We can’t allow anyone to ridicule our culture,” Dr Jamal said in response to a call-attention notice moved by MMA women. He said the play had been banned, but a final decision on whether to allow it would be made after government officials view CDs of it. “They have committed blasphemy against the Prophet (peace be upon him),” Razia Aziz of the MMA said, demanding stern action against the people behind the play. “We can only cancel their licence after seeing the CDs,” the minister said. Mehnaz Rafi of the PML and Sherry Rehman of the PPP criticised the decision. “A few people cannot dictate affairs of the state. Every person has the right to lead his life his own way. A few people cannot snatch freedom from society,” Rafi said. |