In what appears to be a carefully timed cultural outreach and diplomacy, Pakistan has staged a theatrical adaptation of the Ramayana in Karachi just weeks after India’s successful Operation Sindoor, the cancellation of the Indus Waters Treaty, and a high-level all-party diplomatic mission that exposed Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in multiple foreign capitals. The performance is being viewed as a soft-power manoeuvre aimed at mitigating international pressure and reshaping Pakistan’s image as it faces growing isolation over its links to cross-border extremism and its treatment of minorities.
The AI-enhanced production, directed by Yoheshwar Karera and performed by the drama group Mauj at the Karachi Arts Council, has drawn positive responses for its visual storytelling and fidelity to the ancient Hindu epic. The use of artificial intelligence tools, vibrant costumes, dynamic lighting, and live music added a contemporary layer to the narrative of good triumphing over evil. Karera described the project as an effort to foster understanding. “To me, bringing the Ramayana to life on stage is a visual treat and shows the Pakistani society is more tolerant than it is often given credit for,” he said, expressing confidence that the performance would not face backlash.
However, the broader context surrounding the production cannot be ignored. The play follows India’s launch of Operation Sindoor, a precise military strike targeting terror infrastructure inside Pakistan. The operation came in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 Indian civilians were killed. India’s diplomatic response was swift and coordinated: a multi-nation all-party delegation, comprising senior ministers, opposition leaders, and career diplomats, visited several countries to present hard evidence of Pakistan’s ongoing support for jihadist groups operating across South Asia. The mission succeeded in rallying international opinion, increasing scrutiny of Pakistan’s actions on global platforms.
Performance of Ramayan in Karachi, Pakistan pic.twitter.com/6kciamWJap
— Sabahat Zakariya (@sabizak) July 13, 2025
In this climate of exposure and accountability, the staging of the Ramayana, a central text in Hindu tradition, by a Pakistani troupe has drawn attention for its symbolism. With growing demands for transparency on terror financing and minority rights violations, the performance is being interpreted as part of an effort to project religious harmony and inclusiveness to a global audience. Yet, this symbolic act stands in stark contrast to Pakistan’s documented record of persecution of religious minorities.
Over the years, Pakistan’s Hindu and Sikh communities have faced systemic discrimination, forced conversions, temple vandalism, and mob violence. Reports from human rights organisations and India have repeatedly flagged Pakistan for its failure to protect non-Muslim citizens. In such a context, the public staging of a revered Hindu epic, though culturally significant, raises concerns about selective tolerance and diplomatic theatrics.
While art critic Omair Alavi praised the production’s sincerity and creative vision, cultural initiatives alone cannot alter global perception. Islamabad’s challenge is not one of presentation but of policy. Following India’s decision to terminate the Indus Waters Treaty, a landmark agreement that had weathered decades of bilateral strain, Pakistan finds itself cornered diplomatically and economically.
Attempts to recast its image through performances and symbolic gestures are unlikely to succeed without concrete shifts on the ground. Religious harmony cannot be proclaimed from a stage while communities suffer offstage. Counterterrorism credibility cannot be built through soft power while terror infrastructure remains active. As India sharpens its strategic and diplomatic response, and as international partners demand accountability, one Ramayana on stage cannot erase the narrative written by decades of violence, denial, and duplicity.
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