LAHORE – Pakistani acclaimed singer Shafqat Amanat Ali wonders why there is no exchange of artistic talent between India and Pakistan when all other trade between the two countries is intact.
The Coke-studio singer says the entertainment industry is a soft target and feels it is high time India lifts the ban that prevents Pakistani artistes from performing in the country. “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 a lot of trade that is happening between India and Pakistan,” Shafqat told an Indian news agency on phone from Lahore.
“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,” he said.
“If we stop that, it would lead to chaos. But they know that they if they put a ban on artists or actors or people who are related to art, they will express themselves through media or social media platforms. Nothing else” added the Mitwa singer.
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Shafqat was talking about how in 2016, Indian film associations placed an unofficial ‘ban’ on Pakistani talent from working in the country.
As a result, Shafqat’s 2016 Bengaluru concert was canceled. However, he has subsequently sung for Indian projects like Mulk, Ishqeria and Bhaiaji Superhit. But there have been no live shows.
Does he miss performing in India? “Of course, I do. 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.
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