Three concerts featuring Pakistani and Bangladeshi artists in Dhaka have come under uncertainty as organisers remain unclear about obtaining the required security clearance.
The concerts featuring Pakistani singers Ali Azmat, Murtaza Qizilbash and the band Kaavish are scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Organisers have already completed much of their preparations and tickets are being sold online.
Under the existing process, concerts featuring foreign artists require approval from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, followed by security and other assessments by relevant agencies, including the Special Branch, NSI and Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
One organiser claimed that they were verbally informed by the Home Ministry that permission would not be granted for the three concerts. However, the ministry’s security division said it had not conveyed such a decision to the organisers, leaving the status of the events unclear.
The concerts include ‘Sense It with Murtaza Qizilbash’ featuring Murtaza Qizilbash and Habib Wahid, ‘Max Republic’ featuring James, Ali Azmat, Mustafa Zahid and Jal, and ‘Wave Fest: Enjoy the Full Moon’ featuring Kaavish along with Shironamhin and Meghdol.
Several concerts involving Pakistani artists have previously been postponed or cancelled over security and permission issues, adding to uncertainty among organisers and audiences.
-AAH