Ajoka theatre presents “J” dramatic reading on Jinnah at Kinnaird College

The event commenced with the hosts Serene Angel Sohail and Aaliyah Naqvi welcoming the audience, Deans and Faculty members of Kinnaird college

By Abeerah Irfan 

LAHORE: Ajoka Theatre, in collaboration with the International Centre for Pakistani Writing in English (ICPWE) at Kinnaird College for Women, presented its first dramatic reading in English, “J”, written by acclaimed playwright Shahid Nadeem, on Friday, September 11th, 2026.

Held on September 11th, the death anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the dramatic reading offered an intimate and humanized portrayal of the founder of Pakistan, moving beyond the familiar image of Jinnah as a statesman to explore the man behind the historical figure.

The event commenced with the hosts Serene Angel Sohail and Aaliyah Naqvi welcoming the audience, Deans and Faculty members of Kinnaird college for Women. Chief guest Khalid Chishti, ICPWE Director Dr. Waseem Anwar and Principal Prof. Dr. Iram Anjum were also among those present, along with the playwright Shahid Nadeem.

The director of ICPWE, Dr. Waseem Anwar addressed the audience by paying a tribute collectively to Quaid-e-Azam and Madeeha Gauhar (late). Nadeem provided a keynote to the audience about Ajoka Theatre’s longstanding commitment to socially, culturally and politically relevant theatre. Founded in Lahore in 1984 by Madeeha Gauhar and Shahid Nadeem, Ajoka has developed a reputation for using theatre to engage audiences with questions of history, identity, human rights and social change.

Addressing the students, chief guest Khalid Chishti brought a personal and engaging dimension to the occasion as he recounted lesser-known anecdotes and stories from Jinnah’s life, drawing the audience’s attention to the human side of a leader more often remembered through official portraits and historical accounts.

From pre-partition to the modern times “J” unfolded through a non-linear narrative, combining historical events with magical realism. At the centre of the story was Junaid, a young Pakistani-American researcher searching for a connection with his roots. Played by Ali Shahzad, Junaid was joined by Rita, portrayed by Fatin Shahid, as the two moved between the present and Jinnah’s past.

The staging shifted between Junaid’s study and Jinnah’s own world, with Jinnah initially seated in a leather-bound chair, creating the impression of a journey through time. Background music and archival footage further connected the fictional narrative with documented history.

The play explored lesser-known and deeply personal aspects of Jinnah’s life, including his youthful fascination with theatre and Shakespeare. During his years in London, Jinnah developed a strong interest in theatre and reportedly dreamed of playing Romeo at the Old Vic. The dramatic reading also traced his meeting with Rattanbai “Ruttie” Petit (Mehar Nigar), their marriage in 1918 and the personal difficulties that followed. Ruttie, 18 at the time of their marriage, was the daughter of Sir Dinshaw Petit, and her marriage to Jinnah crossed both religious and social boundaries.

From Jinnah’s personal life, the narrative gradually moved towards his political journey and the events that shaped the demand for Pakistan. The production touched upon his political encounters with Mahatma Gandhi, played by Hamza Main, including their prolonged talks in Bombay in September 1944, as well as the Lahore session of the All-India Muslim League in March 1940, where the Pakistan Resolution was adopted.

The reading concluded with an encounter between Jinnah and Junaid in Jinnah’s study. Having travelled from the future, Junaid confronted the leader with the ultimate question of whether the sacrifices made for the creation of Pakistan had been worth their cost. Jinnah’s response provided the emotional climax of the performance: “When you carry with you the weight of a million lives, you often end up sacrificing the ones you love.”

The 14-member cast included young performers and Kinnaird students, bringing a youthful energy to the historical narrative. The closing exchange left the audience with a reflection not simply on the creation of a nation, but on the personal sacrifices, grief and human costs that accompanied Jinnah’s historic political struggle. The conclusion of the event also included a warm gesture of appreciation as Principal Irum Anjum presented Shahid Nadeem with a token of appreciation, acknowledging his contribution to Pakistani theatre and his efforts to bring history and social issues to the stage. The gesture added a personal touch to the evening, celebrating the collaboration between Ajoka Theatre, ICPWE and Kinnaird College.