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Shaan e Pakistan reverses decision, decides not to invite Indian artists

Shaan e Pakistan reverses decision, decides not to invite Indian artists

The music event lineup included Indian singers Harshdeep Kaur, Rekha Bhardwaj and film director Vishal Bhardwaj
Updated 19 Feb, 2019

Huma Nassr, the brains behind project Shaan e Pakistan, decided not to invite the Indian contingent this time around, given the ongoing tension between Pakistan and India.

“This is a difficult time to host an event propagating Indo-Pak peace,” Huma told Images on Monday. “There’s a lot of political tension. Only recently, a decision has been made to replace Atif Aslam’s song in Salman Khan’s movie Notebook. Given the current situation, I think it’s better not to invite the Indians to Shaan e Pakistan this time around.”

Will future events probably feature Indian guests? “Yes, hopefully,” says Huma, “but not this time around.”

Also read: Shafqat Amanat Ali, Vishal Bhardwaj & more will perform at Shaan e Pakistan's music event

The event has always placed focus on improving cross-border relations with India but post the recent Pulwama attack, Huma has decided to make major changes to the two-day musical event scheduled to take place in Lahore on March 21st and 22nd.

Only recently, Huma had revealed the event’s artiste lineup which included major heavyweights from Pakistan as well as from India. Singers Harshdeep Kaur, Rekha Bhardwaj and director Vishal Bhardwaj were scheduled to attend both days, entering Pakistan via the Wagah border.

Also read: Karachi Arts Council condemns Javed Akhtar for statements 'attacking Pakistan'

The event, though, will proceed as scheduled, with a lineup that includes a musical summit where music-centric topics will be discussed in a number of talks, a concert and an awards ceremony lauding achievements in music. The artistes participating in the event include Shafqat Amanat Ali, Sanam Marvi, Amanat Ali and Javed Bashir.

Comments

zoro Feb 19, 2019 09:44am
Who cares ....
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Jawaid Islam Feb 19, 2019 09:48am
In future events also, stop these invitations.
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rajesh Feb 19, 2019 09:53am
who are these artistes? never heard of them anyway.
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Ahsan Feb 19, 2019 10:03am
Very Wrong Decision... Art Should Flow Free from Borders.... You don't fight fire with fire.
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Jjacky Feb 19, 2019 10:05am
Very gud decision.
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Sparky Feb 19, 2019 10:08am
It’s huge lose to India. Right ?
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Suryakant Agrawal Feb 19, 2019 10:12am
Thank you....!!!!
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fahmida Feb 19, 2019 10:17am
We shouldn't stoop low to standards of the Indians. Well you can expect these kind of actions from Indians, but we are way above them.
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Nil Feb 19, 2019 10:18am
Great way to save face. They wouldn't have come anyway.
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Shah Feb 19, 2019 10:20am
Good. Promote Pakistani artists instead from different linguistic background.
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Daanish Feb 19, 2019 10:26am
Right decision, who needs them anyway.
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Lutera Feb 19, 2019 10:33am
Who are they anyway? Never heard of them.
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Khurram Khan Feb 19, 2019 10:33am
We should not follow an Indian narrative. All are welcome in Pakistan.
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Bobby Khan Feb 19, 2019 10:34am
What "reverses decision"? You already invited but Indian artists have refused to come.
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conspiracy_theory Feb 19, 2019 10:37am
@Daanish - ask the organizers who invited them - they know better who needs them.
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Danish Ali saadat Feb 19, 2019 10:38am
Ridiculous, both the nations should keep away politics from sports and other recreational activities because these are the only ways spread love and peace.
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GK Feb 19, 2019 10:40am
It is better for Pakistan industry...
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Salman Feb 19, 2019 10:41am
why just now, should had done it long time back.
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Nüman Allam Feb 19, 2019 10:57am
Right decision.
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Arun Feb 19, 2019 10:58am
As if they were coming...
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RAja Raman Feb 19, 2019 10:58am
@Daanish... Good luck
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sfomann Feb 19, 2019 11:01am
I dont think we should have done this. Every-time something happens there, Indians cancel Pakistani artists participation. Which I dont agree with. So I think we should have invited them. WE need to keep the people to people contact going.
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mashman Feb 19, 2019 11:09am
Very bad situation between neighbors. Only people to people contact will ensure peace and stability in this part of the world.
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kp Feb 19, 2019 11:11am
Indian Artists are not well paid and earns 15 to 35 times more on average (That too for Domestic audiences and in India). Its the pakistani artists who needs India to earn their bread and butter. and in my views Indian government should allowed pakistani artists. Its sad Indian government mixed politics with Sports ,Music and Arts
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Mahmood Feb 19, 2019 11:13am
I believe this is not a good decision. We understand that there is lot of politics between the two nations, whereas, people are almost same everywhere in the world. We should not let these obstacles stop us from opportunities for people to people contact. Art and literature is anyway universal. I am sad to hear this.
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FIQ Feb 19, 2019 11:18am
I think artists from India not involved in public statements against Pakistan should be invited to give that gesture that we want peace and good relations wd neighbors even if they have a bitter past. I know for sure we can survive and imptove even if Indian artists are not there in shaan e Pakistan
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Akbar Feb 19, 2019 11:20am
Bad decision, I am not what is the difference between them and us then.
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Sss Feb 19, 2019 11:38am
Anyway they wouldn't have come ..
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Shehzada Rana Feb 19, 2019 11:40am
I know its wrong but this is the best decision at this time.
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Uza Syed Feb 19, 2019 12:26pm
Wrong decision! Two wrongs don’t make right, they never have and never would.
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sab Feb 19, 2019 12:49pm
Why fall to hate mongering? Not talking, not meeting, creating walls, will solve nothing.
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Babu Feb 19, 2019 12:56pm
Even in trying circumstances, we should be the bigger one. I am disappointed in such a decision. If there are security concerns etc. I can understand, but that should be stated.
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Goraya Feb 19, 2019 01:41pm
Patriotic decision
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Wellwisher Feb 19, 2019 01:53pm
Thanks
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Shakeel Malik Feb 19, 2019 02:07pm
We have yet to hear from Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and others about their decision to continue to sing for India or otherwise..
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Deepak Feb 19, 2019 02:35pm
They were not coming anyway.
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SK Feb 19, 2019 06:14pm
A very bad decision. What then is the difference between us and them? I would urge the organisers to invite Indian singers - and show their understanding if the Indian artistes excuse themselves. If they do decide to take up the invitation, they should be duly thanked and celebrated.
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N abidai Feb 19, 2019 11:30pm
The Pakistan needs to build events like this for Pakistani communities ,in Pakistan, invite the like minded people from Punjab, kpk,balochistan ,bring pak together in common love for share arts! Plus, translate in common languages works of writers of other countries,like Iran,,English ,and Chinese,Russians writers,this is how you build up Pakistani culture of arts! The better answers for art sponsors would have been just stating few words of a great poet,and leave it !
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