January 5, 2025
By Aitzaz Ibrahim
LAHORE
A sessions’ court in Lahore has granted interim bail to Qawwal Faraz Amjad Khan in a case registered against him for allegedly performing a politically linked song “Nak Da Koka” during a government-sponsored cultural event at Shalimar Gardens.
Additional Sessions Judge Shazeen Dar approved the interim bail until January 13 and sought the record of the case from Baghbanpura police.
The accused appeared before the court and stated that he had no affiliation with any political party. He told the court that had he known a criminal case would be registered over the performance, he would not have sung the song. The court granted interim relief and adjourned further proceedings after directing the police to submit the case record.
The case was registered following an incident that occurred during a music and cultural programme titled “Chandni Raatain,” organised on Saturday evening under the auspices of the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) at the historic Shalimar Gardens.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the case was lodged at Baghbanpura police station on the complaint of Shalimar Gardens in charge Zameerul Hasan. The complainant stated that the event was purely cultural in nature and that no political content, slogans, or material were permitted as part of the programme.
The FIR alleges that during the Qawwali night, Faraz Amjad Khan, along with his accompanying performers, deliberately sang a politically provocative song without permission. The lyrics reportedly included references to “Qaidi No 804,” a phrase widely associated with jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.
The complainant maintained that the performance was stopped by the administration; however, the song allegedly caused excitement and agitation among the audience, creating fears of a breach of public order. The FIR states that the event was open to the public and attended by people with varying political affiliations, and that the introduction of political content posed a risk to peace and security.
The FIR further alleges that the act amounted to an attempt to convert a cultural gathering into a political event, incite the public, and damage the reputation and credibility of the organising authority. It states that the situation could have escalated into unrest or violence.
Police have registered the case under Sections 109 (abetment), 34 (common intention), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 505 (statements conducing to public mischief), and 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Responding to the incident, Walled City of Lahore Authority spokesperson Awais told Voicepk that the authority had recently introduced guided tours at Shalimar Gardens, similar to those conducted at the Lahore Fort. He said these tours conclude with cultural performances such as Kathak dance and Qawwali, all of which are pre-approved and planned in advance.
“The song performed by the Qawwal was not part of the approved programme,” the spokesperson said. “An attempt was made to give a political colour to a cultural event, which resulted in disorder. Families attend these events, and the situation deteriorated due to this performance.”
He added that the WCLA would not allow tourism or heritage sites to be damaged by religious or political agendas. Following the incident, three government officials were suspended, and a formal inquiry was initiated to ascertain responsibility and identify any administrative lapses.
Meanwhile, the accused singer issued a video statement to the media, offering his version of events. In the statement, Faraz Amjad Khan claimed that a man present in the audience repeatedly demanded that to perform the controversial song and allegedly threatened him. He further alleged that the individual came onto the stage and behaved rudely, pressuring him to sing the song.
“I sang a few lines only to protect my dignity,” the singer said in his statement. He added that several people had recorded videos of the incident and rejected allegations suggesting that he committed an act of disloyalty to the country.