Playwright Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar discusses his approach to writing sensitive heroes and strong female characters, claiming his work reflects aspirational figures. He describes the pillars of his storytelling as pathos and the power dynamics within societal structures.
When asked if Pyaare Afzal could be considered feminist—with its subversive women who boldly pursue their love interests—he disagrees. Drawing from personal experiences with age-gap marriages, Qamar believes the characters are intentionally stunted, referring to the women as “retarded.” According to him, the message of the story is to challenge traditions like child brides and laundi practices, which he calls “idiotic.” He questions widely accepted social norms, urging critical reflection on why women face such deep-seated oppression in society.
Qamar defends spiritual structures such as aair and dargahs, considering them integral to religion and culture. At the heart of his philosophy is the belief that love is the greatest form of divinity. “English literature is not something I can relate to,” he admits. Instead, Pyaare Afzal remains a deeply personal story—a tribute to his first love. He also contemplates mortality, asserting that death should not always be viewed as tragic, as it is an inevitable part of life.
Interview by Sadaf Haider and MM