Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore, in collaboration with Ajoka Theatre and the Kinnaird International Centre for Pakistani Writing in English (ICPWE), presented J, a staged reading of the latest English play by renowned playwright Shahid Nadeem, commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Held at Hladia Hall, the event was graced by Air Cdre (R) Khalid Chishti as the Chief Guest. The performance brought together a young ensemble of Kinnaird students and professional actors, giving the audience a chance to explore the untold and lesser-known dimensions of Jinnah’s life beyond his familiar image as the founder of Pakistan.

Set across two timelines—1886 in London and 1916 in Bombay—J portrayed Jinnah not simply as a constitutional lawyer and future founder of Pakistan, but as a husband, son, and individual navigating love, loss, relationships, political conviction, and personal sacrifice.

The narrative explored key relationships that shaped his life, including his relationship with Ruttie Jinnah, his mentor Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and contemporaries such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Lord Mountbatten. Through dialogue, letters, and courtroom scenes, the play highlighted Jinnah’s wit, integrity, determination, commitment to constitutionalism, and advocacy for minority rights.

Air Cdre (R) Khalid Chishti Highlights the Untold Story of Jinnah:

In his remarks, Air Cdre (R) Khalid Chishti highlighted the significance of J in bringing forward the lesser-known and untold dimensions of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s life and personality. He observed that while Jinnah is widely remembered as the founder of Pakistan and a statesman of exceptional stature, the personal experiences, relationships, struggles, and sacrifices behind the iconic figure also deserve to be understood.

He appreciated Ajoka Theatre, ICPWE, and Kinnaird College for presenting this lesser-known side of Jinnah through theatre and for providing the younger generation with an opportunity to connect with history in a more engaging and meaningful way. He emphasized that exploring these aspects of Jinnah’s life can lead to a deeper understanding of his character, principles, leadership, and vision for Pakistan.

Principal Prof. Dr. Iram Anjum Highlights the Relevance of Jinnah’s Vision:
In her remarks, Principal Kinnaird College for Women, Prof. Dr. Iram Anjum, appreciated Ajoka Theatre and ICPWE for bringing J to Kinnaird and presenting a more nuanced and human perspective on the life of Quaid-e-Azam.

She highlighted the importance of introducing students to history through literature and theatre, enabling them to understand not only Jinnah’s political achievements but also his values, struggles, relationships, and personal sacrifices. She emphasized that Jinnah’s principles of integrity, justice, constitutionalism, tolerance, and respect for minority rights remain deeply relevant for Pakistan’s younger generation.

Prof. Dr. Iram Anjum also appreciated the participation of Kinnaird students alongside professional actors, noting that such opportunities encourage students to engage creatively with Pakistan’s history and develop a deeper understanding of leadership and nation-building.

Through J, the event moved beyond the conventional textbook portrayal of Jinnah, revealing the man behind the icon and bringing his lesser-known personal journey to life. The performance concluded with a reflection on leadership, nation-building, and the continuing relevance of Quaid-e-Azam’s principles for Pakistan today.