Atif concert organiser faces probe
The home ministry has asked the cultural affairs ministry to investigate and take legal action against the organiser of Pakistani singer Atif Aslam’s concert in Dhaka for changing the venue without prior approval.
The ministry has also recommended blacklisting Event Sajai, the company that obtained official permission for the concert, over alleged violations of approval conditions, mismanagement and disruption of security arrangements.
The directive was sent to the cultural affairs secretary in a letter on Sunday.
Event Sajai had received permission to hold the concert at the Cricketers Academy venue near the Khilkhet-Purbachal Expressway.
However, the event, titled “Main Stage Featuring Atif Aslam”, was held at Courtside on Madani Avenue in Bhatara last Friday.
Event management company Main Stage organised the concert, while its associate organisation Event Sajai secured permission from the home ministry.
A day before the event, Main Stage Chief Executive Kazi Rafsan announced that the venue had been changed because rain had prevented the organisers from constructing the stage at the original location.
The home ministry said the last-minute relocation without prior approval violated the conditions attached to the permission.
It alleged that the venue change caused disorder, raised concerns over the law-and-order situation and prompted strong reactions from audience members.
The ministry also said the organisers’ failure to follow the approved conditions and alleged mismanagement exposed foreign performers and crew members to security risks.
Audience members criticised the lack of basic facilities and security arrangements on social media, while the incident also drew negative coverage in the media, according to the letter.
The ministry asked the cultural affairs ministry to investigate Event Sajai and take strict legal action, including blacklisting the company.
Mohua Afroz, personal secretary to the cultural affairs secretary, confirmed that the ministry had received the letter.
“The section concerned is working on the issue,” she said.
Copies of the directive were also sent to the director general of the National Security Intelligence, the additional inspector general of police of the Special Branch and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner.
