Pakistan bans satire 'Burqavaganza'

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, April 27 (UPI) -- The head of a Pakistani theater group says its banned play "Burqavaganza" about concealing cloaks worn by Muslim women does not offend Islam, the BBC reported.

Madeeha Gauhar with the Ajoka Theatre group was commenting on the government's ban of the play, reportedly because it made "unacceptable fun" on Pakistani culture, the BBC said.

The ban was issued immediately after the satirical play opened this month in Lahore.

Gauhar told the BBC the play is not designed to offend Islam or any other religion. She said she heard about the ban from the media as the government had not yet contacted the theater group.

"We are trying to end the evils from society, we are against forcing women to wear the burka. I condemn the ban," she told the BBC.

Some Islamist lawmakers in parliament reportedly felt the play is against "Koranic injunctions on the veil."