Globally renowned Pakistani singer Atif Aslam has performed in Bangladesh on several occasions over the years, with his first appearance in Dhaka dating back to 2006. He has since taken the stage in the capital around eight times, making him one of the most frequently visiting and widely admired foreign performers in the country.
This December, two separate concerts featuring Atif were initially announced in Dhaka. As uncertainty grew over official permission, the organisers, Main Stage and Spirits of July, withdrew their individual plans and jointly announced a single concert scheduled for December 13.
That show was later cancelled, with organisers citing security concerns.
Although the public concert did not go ahead, Atif Aslam did arrive in Dhaka and went on to perform at a series of private and invitation-only events, attracting significant attention on social media.
Last Thursday, Atif performed at Music Beyond Boundaries, an event organised by American International University-Bangladesh. According to students, the programme was arranged at short notice by the university’s trustee board and was open only to registered students, faculty members and trustees. No tickets were sold, and access was tightly controlled. Bangladeshi singer Minar Rahman also performed at the event.
Earlier, on December 15, Atif appeared at another private concert titled The Final Note at the United Convention Centre, which was restricted to Gulshan Club members. He continued his closed-door appearances with another private performance on December 17.
Meanwhile, videos of Atif’s stay in Dhaka circulated widely online. In some clips, he is seen playing cricket, while others show him performing at a wedding ceremony, reportedly for a fee of around Tk 3 crore.
The cancellation of the December 13 concert has also sparked controversy. Allegations that ticket buyers were not refunded have led to a fraud case being filed in court against five individuals, including a co-founder of one of the organising companies.
In a recent social media post, Atif shared a photo from a performance and wrote that the concert would take place soon, adding that those who purchased tickets for the December 13 show would not need to buy new ones.
The episode reflects broader uncertainty within the live music industry. Following recent political developments, the Ministry of Home Affairs has suspended approvals for concerts, citing security concerns. A senior official said permissions have not been issued for nearly six weeks.
The issue has also sparked discussion in public and cultural circles. Some observers have questioned the timing of invitations to Pakistani artists during or around December, a month closely associated with Bangladesh’s Victory Day, particularly at a time when local cultural institutions and artistes are struggling to organise programmes.
As a result, several planned concerts by foreign artists, including Pakistani band Kaavish and singer Ali Azmat, have been postponed despite full preparations, leaving the live music scene in a state of limbo.
