Pakistan

K-P village bans music, dance during wedding celebrations

Move made on pretext of security threat to ‘reform youth’.

Riaz Ahmad May 28, 2016

PHOTO: ICON BOOK

PESHAWAR: The elected local government (LG) representatives in Sheikhan village have banned music and dances during wedding festivities.

This was announced through loudspeakers in the village on Friday. People were asked to avoid these activities at all cost since LG representatives said they had concrete information shared by security forces that militants could target such gatherings.

The news sent a wave of panic across the village and three music and dancing programmes were cancelled in the village.

Unveiling facts

When contacted, district member Fazalullah told The Express Tribune they had made the announcements via loudspeakers from mosques but it was not done due to threats of attacks from militants.

Fazaullah said, “We wanted to stop the practice of musical evenings that are organised on the occasion of weddings and continue till quite late into the night.” He said youth participate in them with great zeal and fail to realise that they are not a healthy social activity at all.

The district member said the announcement served more than one purpose.

“First it reformed the large number of youth who participate in these gatherings and secondly, it prevented any attack that could happen since our village is located adjacent to Khyber Agency,” he explained.

Fazalullah said three musical gatherings and dancing programmes have been cancelled as a result of the announcement which shows the success of the undertaking.

He added while they had not received information from any inside sources, the message was sent out to help people realise the gravity of the situation.

When contacted, police said they had not received any intelligence warning that stated militants could attack musical programmes. A village elder Sheikh Akber Khan criticised the move, saying such announcements cause panic among people and deprive youth of healthy entertainment and holistic environment.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2016.

COMMENTS (6)

Adnan | 8 years ago | Reply Well one can object such enforcement of religion by elected persons, but this article also seems to be 'enforcing' some agenda by generalizing it to the whole LG system.

sajid hussain turi | 8 years ago | Reply This is bad for new generation. Because We already know the sauation of Khyber agency all people like wipen. If (mullana) bans the entrtiment of young generation than fancy going to war and kill the hummen. So Pakistan government want to stick rule for this and arrest the elder person of this village who baned music and other enjoyment program. Turi parachinar

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Brainy Bhaijan | 8 years ago | Reply KPK will remain a pariah-land for at least another 50 to 100 years, if these people do not make a u-turn on their madness. Even places like the South Punjab are much more accommodating despite being the breeding nest of the Taliban.

AllahDitta | 8 years ago | Reply "The news sent a wave of panic across the village and three music and dancing programmes were cancelled in the village." Three music and dancing programs in a village? I'd say that Sheikhan village is a pretty happening place!

Spooky | 8 years ago | Reply Its is unhealthy for young generation not to entertained such music gathering. Mr Fazllula must know the energy fact in young people. We are not dump people. We are alive to enjoy the life. The Nazim keep away from music if he wish but don,t stop others. He is not elected to put his nose in people social life. The people must have their freedom that should not be compromise.

Raghu | 8 years ago | Reply They ban music because of fear of terrorists and they forget about the fear of God.

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