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India should lift ban on Pakistani artists: Shafqat Amanat Ali

India should lift ban on Pakistani artists: Shafqat Amanat Ali

The singer feels the entertainment industry is a "soft target" for both governments
31 Jan, 2019

Shafqat Amanat Ali says he misses performing across the border and it's high time that the ban on Pakistani artists in India is lifted.

In a phone interview with IANS, the singer said that banning the arts is an easy way out for governments of both countries, otherwise trade between them would also have been affected.

"Art and entertainment industry is a soft target. They know that they can't fight back, so just ban it. It is very easy. Otherwise, there is lot of trade that is happening between India and Pakistan," says Shafqat.

Also read: Indian film association bans Pakistani talent from working in India

He expanded, "If you go to the Attari-Wagah border, one can see trucks bringing goods and exchanging goods from both the sides. That import and export business is running full-fledged. People are waiting with their trucks and are off-loading."

"If we stop that, it would lead to chaos. But they know that they if they put a ban on artistes or actors or people who are related to art, they will express themselves through media or social media platforms. Nothing else."

Also read: Indian TV stars are not happy about Pakistan's ban on Indian shows

India banned Pakistani artists almost two and a half years ago after the Uri attacks which consequently led to Shafqat's 2016 Bengaluru concert being cancelled. Since then there has been a tug of war with bans on both sides of the border, however Pakistan has become more relaxed about the ban and is running Indian films on screens.

"If you talk to people who visited Pakistan to support their team in the last India-Pakistan match, (they will say) they went back after a very emotionally charged trip. They were given so much love. And we also received a lot of love, respect and appreciation for our work in India. I miss performing in India and it is high time that they lift the ban," he said.

Shafqat believes there "is a lot of other stuff which we can do positively and we are not doing that."

Comments

Ali Jan 31, 2019 07:49pm
Dying to make money aren't you Shafqat?
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Inder Jan 31, 2019 08:21pm
"India should lift ban on Pakistani artists", why? Not getting enough platform for popularity, fame, and money?
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Mrityunjay Tripathi Jan 31, 2019 08:58pm
Where's the ban?! Atif Aslam is giving hits after hits. Anyways, if it's there, it should be lifted. I am missing Saba Qamar after seeing 'Hindi Medium'.
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imtiaz Faruqui Feb 01, 2019 01:03am
If India want to learn Music , let the Pakistani Artists come there , they are the performers singers and the teachers. This is no easy game. There is no other way to progress in India , If so let it be. IMTIAZ FARUQUI. MUSIC COMPOSER USA.
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Pathanoo Feb 01, 2019 01:55am
Banning Artists from each other's country is SIMPLY AND ASTOUNDINGLY STUPID. If you both ever wanted peace truly between yourselves; the free movement of Artists are the BEST WAY to start that process. ART has no politics.
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BK Feb 01, 2019 06:25am
Agreed. But in the interim, ask Pakistan to provide similar opportunities.
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N abidai Feb 01, 2019 07:46am
How about the artists ,musicians , the owners of tv's ,and invester, get together , to brainstorms, how they can develop music ,tv, and films industries , in Pakistan! Everything needed is in Pakistan, others are making big money off pak talents! So, why not hired educated people 's ,offer them good packages ,to develop high level pak enteritments industries ! There are business men that makes millions ,bringing Rhat ,Atiff, etc,on tours to USA!
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Sanjeev Yadav Feb 01, 2019 01:32pm
Simply why?
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krishankant Feb 01, 2019 04:06pm
Fully agree, artists are part of our common culture and the industry must lift any ban.
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sutapa Feb 01, 2019 04:16pm
Yes, Shafqat- cannot agree more.
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NSG Feb 01, 2019 04:21pm
why go to India?
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Anand Feb 01, 2019 05:21pm
HE NEEDS MONEY
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Shailesh Feb 01, 2019 07:01pm
Attended one Shafqat's evening in Delhi.. memories of a life time. definitely ur fans miss u
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Manoj Feb 01, 2019 07:05pm
I completely agree on this. There should not be ban on art and artist from both sides.
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Veer Singh Feb 01, 2019 07:31pm
Most Indians support the ban.
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Atif Islam Feb 01, 2019 08:05pm
If you are good, then your talent will attract any market. Dont worry..You dont have to go around begging to make them like you. Good luck sir
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Trend? Feb 01, 2019 08:12pm
@Pathanoo There is no ban in India. Atif and Rahat have given many hits.
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Kris Feb 01, 2019 08:31pm
Absolutely! We love Pakistani classical singers!
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Shazad Khalid Feb 01, 2019 10:06pm
He obviously has credit cards to pay off
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