Hyderabad:
In the midst of disorder and chaos, the great musical concert organized by the government of Sindh to commemorate Independence Day and Marka-E-Haq shot on Friday night in Hyderabad. Tens of thousands of citizens had crowded Rani Bagh, the largest but underdeveloped recreational place in the city, hoping to enjoy captivating actions by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Sanam Marvi and other recognized artists.
The distant parking areas forced many to walk through a kilometer to get to the place, but the spirits remained high, until the noisy crowds violated the enclosures designated for families. The bamboo fences that separated these areas were broken down by groups of young men, which resulted in altercations and incidents of harassment, including attacks against media workers.
“We came here waiting for a splendid night of music and enjoyment, but what we found was a wild crowd prepared to behave badly with women,” said Irfan Kazi, a resident of Qasimabad. He described how the mafia, supposedly allowed free admission, tried to force his way to the stage, leaving aside those that are already there.
“It’s one of the worst events,” complained a young woman. “Women are being insulted, and their dupattas and scarves are being demolished.”
The event was organized by the Government of Sindh in collaboration with the Council of the Arts of Pakistan, Karachi. In the period prior to the concert, the officials of the District Administration, the Police, Mayor Kashir Ali Shoro and the president of the Council, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, made multiple visits to inspect the arrangements.
Later, the Police declared that the management of crowds within the place had been delegated to volunteers designated by the Council. However, many attendees expressed consternation, waiting for the police to maintain control during such a large public event.
The Hyderabad concert was one of the three events of this type organized by the provincial government in collaboration with the Council of Arts, with others held in Sukkur and Karachi.
When Rahat Fateh Ali Khan took the stage around 11 pm, many families had already begun to leave the place with frustration and concern. According to the reports, the event cost the government around RS50 million.
Despite the chaos, the senior minister of Sindh, Sharjeel Inam Memon, issued a statement on Saturday by congratulating the organizers for a “successful” event.
Speaking at the concert, the Minister of Culture of Sindh, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, congratulated La Nación on his 78th Independence Day and thanked the Council and its president and making the event possible. Irrigation Sindh Minister Jam Khan Shoro, an Hyderabad MPA, also went to the crowd.
