Renowned playwright Anwar Maqsood’s stage play House Arrest is set to return to the Islamabad stage. After a brief but dramatic interruption. During its second week of performances, the production’s No Objection Certificate (NOC) was suddenly nullified.
It halted a successful run that began on April 24. In response, the 84 year old literary legend subtly but powerfully appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He reminded the nation of his six decade long contribution to Pakistani arts.
He did so without directly criticizing the decision. Within hours of Maqsood’s statement, the NOC was reinstated, allowing House Arrest to resume performances from May 6 to 9. KopyKat Productions, the team behind the play, shared the update with humor and relief.
It posted “Islamabad, we’re back!” and encouraged audiences to secure tickets for the remaining shows. The reversal was welcomed by theater lovers and supporters of free artistic expression, who had rallied behind the production during the sudden suspension.
While the swift reinstatement marked a win for the play, the episode reignited concerns about Pakistan’s precarious space for cultural expression. House Arrest, known for its witty political satire, continues its run under heightened public interest.
Maqsood’s dignified yet firm response only strengthened his legacy as a guardian of Pakistani literature and satire in the face of censorship and red tape. As tickets were sold, audiences took time to see not just a play, but a living testament to artistic perseverance.