Atif Aslam concert organiser faces probe, possible blacklisting over unapproved venue change

Ministry of Home Affairs has asked Ministry of Cultural Affairs 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 and allegedly compromising security.

It has also recommended blacklisting Event Sajai, the company that obtained official permission for the concert, over alleged breaches of conditions, mismanagement and disruption of security arrangements for foreign performers and the audience.

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The directive was issued in a letter sent to the cultural affairs secretary on Sunday.

According to the letter, Event Sajai had been granted permission to organise the concert at the Cricketers Academy venue near the Khilkhet-Purbachal Expressway.

The concert, however, was ultimately held at Courtside on Madani Avenue in Dhaka's Bhatara last Friday under the banner "Main Stage Featuring Atif Aslam", organised by event management company Main Stage. Event Sajai, an associate organisation of Main Stage, had secured the home ministry's permission for the programme.

A day before the event, Main Stage Chief Executive Kazi Rafsan announced at a press conference that the venue had been changed because rain had prevented the organisers from constructing the stage at the original location.

The home ministry, however, said the last-minute relocation without prior approval constituted a breach of the conditions attached to the permission.

"The organising company violated the conditions of the permission and changed the venue at the last moment without prior approval," the letter said.

It added that the move caused widespread disorder, raised fears of a deterioration in the overall law and order situation, and triggered strong adverse reactions among the audience.

The ministry also said the failure to comply with the approved venue conditions and the alleged mismanagement exposed foreign artists and crew members to "security threats".

According to the letter, audience members expressed anger on social media over the lack of basic facilities and security, while the incident also attracted negative attention on social media and in news outlets.

The home 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 and a senior assistant secretary, told The Daily Star today 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 senior officials, including the director general of the National Security Intelligence, the additional inspector general of police of the Special Branch, and the commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police.