No Time To Sleep: Live, 24-hour countdown to execution of 'Prisoner Z' in Lahore, Pakistan

BOW, U.K. - Oct. 9, 2018 - PRLog -- 10 October 2018, London - A 24-hour live performance will see renowned Pakistani actor, Sarmad Khoosat, become death row Prisoner Z as he prepares for his execution. While the ropes are tested, and his lawyers file paperwork, Prisoner Z will pray, eat his last meal and say goodbye to his family.

Set inside a replica of a cell, this unique performance entitled 'No Time To Sleep' has been informed by interviews with ex-prisoners, families of death row prisoners, executioners, lawyers and prison guards all of whom are affected by capital punishment.

No Time to Sleep is based on the experiences of prisoner Zulfiqar, who, in 2015, became the 103rd person to be executed since the death penalty was reinstated in Pakistan in 2014. In total, Zulfiqar spent near 17 years on death row where his execution was scheduled and halted more than twenty times. During his incarceration, Zulfiqar helped educate over 400 fellow inmates and secured 33 diplomas himself.

The performance will run from 9^th to 10^th October, ending on World Day Against the Death Penalty. It will be streamed globally (www.dawn.com)with rolling coverage at @z_prisoner posting the mercy petition, final warrants and news coverage.

Pakistan has executed at least 496 prisoners since December 2014, and ranks among the top five countries for executions, with charities arguing that many death sentences are imposed following an unfair trial.

2017 Death Penalty Statistics (via Amnesty International)

• 993 recorded executions in 23 countries. Most took place inChina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Pakistan.
• At least2,591death sentences were recorded in 53 countries
• At least21,919people were known to be on death row at the end of 2017
• Methods of execution included: beheading, hanging, lethal injection and shooting.
• In many countries where people were sentenced to death or executed, the proceedings did not meet international fair trial This included the extraction of "confessions" through torture or other ill-treatment.

Ryan Van Winkle, Creator and Producer of No Time To Sleep, Highlight Arts Scotland said,

"No Time to Sleep is primarily about the human lives at the heart of the death penalty.By presenting the intense twenty-four hours of Prisoner Z's life we will offer audiences an opportunity to emphasize and engage with the human aspect of death row. We hope it will broaden the public debate on the prevalence of the death penalty and challenge those who continue to support, or worse, ignore it."

Zainab Mahboob, Head of Legal at Justice Project Pakistan said,

"For too long, executing states have shrouded this act of killing from the public, precisely because of how cruel, inhumane and degrading it can be. We are honored to have someone of Sarmad's stature present these stories that have remained untold for years."

Sarmad Khoosat, Lead Actor, No Time to Sleep,said,

"This role is an act of solidarity for those who are unfairly punished and for those whose lives have been condemned. For twenty-four hours, I will be thinking of the human beings who inspired Prisoner Z. When the performance is finished I can go back home and be with my family and loved ones again - for too many, both now and in the past, that is not the case."

Notes to Editor

The twenty-four live performance starts at 2000hrs (BST) on 9th October and runs to 2000hrs (BST) on 10th October.

Where?

Evernew Studios, Lahore, Pakistan.The performance will be streamed online www.dawn.com and at special events around the world, including in UK Parliament, London, EU Parliament, Brussels and at Cambridge University.

Social Media

@z_prisoner (https://twitter.com/z_prisoner) and #NoTimetoSleep.

About No Time To Sleep

No Time To Sleep is a collaboration between Scottish arts charity Highlight Arts and Justice Project Pakistan, a human rights organization in Lahore and Olomopolo Media, a media and theatre production company. Zulfiqar Ali Khan was Justice Project Pakistan's first client.

About Highlight Arts

Highlights Arts creates, and shares stories forged at the intersection of arts, rights and social justice. These are stories which challenge preconceptions and stereotypes, explore personal and political narratives, open spaces for local and global conversations and engage new audiences. Their work includes producing and curating festivals, collaborations and new commissions in a wide range of art forms, including film, literature, visual arts, theatre, Live Art, spoken word and music.

About Justice Project Pakistan

JPP is a non-profit organization based in Lahore that represents the most vulnerable Pakistani prisoners facing the harshest punishments at home and abroad. JPP investigates, litigates, educates and advocates on their behalf.