Acclaimed musician Hamin Ahmed has spoken out strongly against concert organisers following a series of last-minute cancellations that have left music fans frustrated and disappointed.
Several concerts announced earlier this year were promoted widely and, in some cases, tickets were sold before organisers secured the necessary approvals. The situation has sparked growing anger among audiences, particularly after the recent cancellation of Pakistani singer Atif Aslam’s scheduled concert in Dhaka on December 13.
In a public Facebook post, Hamin criticised organisers for what he described as irresponsible and misleading practices. He urged them to complete all formalities before launching promotional campaigns or selling tickets.
His post read: “Get all the approved permits first, then promote the concert and sell tickets, simple,” he said. “Stop lying, making foolish excuses and causing trouble for music lovers. You’re ruining the concert environment.”
The Atif Aslam concert was called off at the last moment after organisers failed to secure key local permits, security clearances and logistical arrangements. Atif himself announced the cancellation on Facebook, expressing disappointment over the situation. The incident has become one of several high-profile examples of shows being postponed or cancelled in Dhaka due to permit complications, security concerns or administrative decisions.
These repeated disruptions have had a ripple effect across the live music scene. Fans who purchased tickets in advance have been left feeling misled, while artistes risk reputational damage despite having little control over the circumstances. According to industry insiders, both local and international performers have been affected by the uncertainty surrounding event approvals.
Hamin Ahmed warned that continuing to promote concerts without proper authorisation ultimately harms everyone involved. He called on organisers and musicians alike to respect government regulations and security requirements to ensure that large-scale events can go ahead smoothly.
Without greater accountability, he said, the trust between audiences, artistes and organisers will continue to erode.
