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

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.”

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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.

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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.