We sat down with Hunia to discuss her play Permission, A play about patriarchy, protest and the global political order at Tara Theatre.
What was the inspiration for ‘Permission’?
The inspiration for Permission comes from the oversimplified way we talk about women’s liberation, especially in the stories we tell about South Asians. There’s a common narrative where the girl from a conservative family is ‘enlightened’ by western values and eventually saved by them —like in Bend It Like Beckham (I still love the movie though!). Liberation for women is often reduced to western ideas of freedom around clothing and sexuality, ignoring how women’s freedom is also shaped by political borders and violence. For instance, when we talk about liberating Afghan women from the Taliban’s enforcement of the veil, we overlook how this idea of freedom is used to justify bombing their homes and families.
On a personal level, Permission reflects my journey as a solo, first-generation immigrant moving from Karachi to London. I wanted to explore how this move stretched my understanding of freedom—from growing up in Karachi amid the “War on Terror” to witnessing the rise of Pakistani feminism through the Aurat March, and now being part of the wave of solo female immigrants from Pakistan seeking “freedom” abroad. As I navigated the exhausting immigration process and found myself on several picket lines in the heart of the Global North, I couldn’t help but question: How free are we here? How safe are we here?
How would you describe the relationship between Minza and Hanna?
Hanna and Minza’s relationship is complicated. Like any close friendship, it brings out the best and worst in both of them. They are each other’s escape from feeling trapped in their realities, but also a reminder of what it means to feel at home. At their best, they dream together—about each other’s futures and a better world. At their worst, they reflect back the fractures and misunderstandings we often ignore in our idealistic visions of peace and utopia.
But it’s not all heavy—they also have a lot of fun together. I don’t know if Hanna and Minza will be friends forever, but at this moment in their lives, as captured in Permission, they wouldn’t be themselves without each other.
What do you hope audiences will take away from the work?
I want the play to challenge how we think about freedom—pushing beyond identity politics to consider the realities of state violence. I hope it prompts people to question their own ideas of political action and radical change—and to reflect on their personal relationship with it. If nothing else, I hope Permission gives audiences a glimpse into the lives of two Pakistani girls living in today’s Karachi, doing their best to navigate and live a full, free life.
How does it feel to have Permission performed at Tara Theatre?
Tara Theatre is such a politically motivated and open-minded space, and honestly, this play couldn’t have found a better home. It’s a place that encourages bold, diverse storytelling and allows for the kind of conversations Permission aims to spark.
Ticket and info:https://taratheatre.com/whats-on/permission/