Censorship: City district nazim asks police, DC to cancel stage shows

Said to be salacious, performances held at Sabrina, Aiana cinemas

PESHAWAR: City district nazim Muhammad Asim Khan has asked the deputy commissioner and police to cancel the no objection certificate of two stage shows over what he has cited as “vulgarity”.

Asim Khan has also directed the Peshawar Development Authority and administration of all four towns to remove sign boards and posters of the stage shows from the city.



The nazim took the action following a written application which was submitted by Khalisa-I district member Malik Aman against organising the shows for “immorality”. District members also submitted visuals of the shows as evidence to the district nazim.

The stage shows are being organised by Haji Nadar Khan and Musafir video centre, and the ticket costs Rs2,000 per person.

In his application, Malik Aman stated, “We will not allow ruining the character of our youth by showing vulgar stage dramas,” He said the performances were being held at Sabrina and Aiana cinemas in Khyber Bazaar since start of 2016.

He said local Pashto and Punjabi artists perform “vulgar” dances and use inappropriate words on stage. “Dance is strictly prohibited,” Aman stated in the application while referring to the NoC. He also mentioned the show organisers violated the rules of the NoC and failed to fulfil its requirements.

The shows cancelled were Da Nawe Kall Tuhfa which roughly translates to New Year Gift and Masti Jenakai Pa Pekhawar Ki or the Crazy Girls in Peshawar.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2016.