Three major concerts featuring Bangladeshi and international artistes are facing uncertainty over whether they can go ahead in Dhaka on 25 and 26 September, as the organisers are still waiting for final approval.
The events are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, with preparations nearly complete and tickets already on sale online. However, several government agencies have yet to submit their reports, leaving the final approval process incomplete.
For concerts featuring foreign artistes, organisers must first obtain approval from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. The process then involves security and other assessments by agencies including the Special Branch, National Security Intelligence, National Board of Revenue and Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
The matter subsequently goes through the Home Ministry before the Culture Ministry issues the final approval.
Organisers must also complete tax-related formalities. These include advance income tax for foreign artistes and VAT calculations related to ticket sales, based on factors such as venue capacity and ticket numbers.
One organiser claimed they were verbally told by the Home Ministry that none of the three concerts would receive approval.
Another said they had received no clear decision. The Home Ministry’s security division, however, said it had not conveyed such a decision and that reports from the relevant agencies had not yet reached it.
Munima Hafiz, additional secretary of the Home Ministry’s security division, said the ministry could proceed only after receiving the necessary reports.
“We have not yet received the reports from the government agencies. We can complete the next stage only after receiving them. Without those reports, there is nothing we can do at this point. There is still a day left, so let us see what happens,” she said.
Harun Or Rashid, joint secretary currently handling the matter at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, also said no report had yet reached them from the Home Ministry. He said a final decision would be taken after receiving the necessary report.
The delay has left organisers concerned about potential financial losses. They say they submitted the required documents on time and have already spent heavily on artistes, venues, stages, sound systems and lighting.
On 25 September, the ‘Sense It with Murtaza Qizilbash’ concert is scheduled to feature Pakistani singer Murtaza Qizilbash alongside Bangladeshi singer Habib Wahid.
The event, organised by Dhaka Beats and Sense It by Let’s Vibe, is expected to mark Qizilbash’s first international concert.
The same day, ‘mAhx Republic’ is scheduled at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Purbachal. Nagar Baul James is expected to perform alongside Pakistani artistes Ali Azmat, Mustafa Zahid of Roxen and Jal.
On 26 September, Pakistani band Kaavish is scheduled to perform at ‘Wave Fest: Enjoy the Full Moon’, organised by Prime Wave Communication.
Bangladeshi bands Shironamhin and Meghdol are also set to perform. The concert had previously been postponed after failing to secure the required permission.
The latest uncertainty has become particularly significant for the artistes involved. Ali Azmat was previously scheduled to perform in Dhaka as a solo artiste but two such concerts were cancelled.
Mustafa Zahid also travelled to Dhaka for a concert last year before returning without performing, while a Jal concert was postponed shortly before the event over security concerns.
With only a short time remaining before the scheduled dates, organisers and audiences are now waiting for the authorities’ final decisions.
