PTI candidate sued for ‘stealing’ election song

LAHORE: As election songs become a norm in Pakistani politics, unapproved use of slogans and songs have also become a real issue for politicians. In a similar instance, a candidate for the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) has accused a candidate with the same first name of ‘theft’ of an election anthem and has sent a legal notice.



The MMA candidate for PP-150 Lahore Jabran Butt has sent a legal notice to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate for PP-189 Okara Rao Ali Jabran Bhopal for allegedly using an anthem of the candidate without his permission. The anthem uses the first name – Jabran, as part of the lyrics.

According to the notice sent to the PTI candidate, Butt’s lawyer alleges that the election anthem was stolen and used by Jabran Bhopal for his own campaign. The notice demands an unconditional apology as well as damages worth Rs20 million. The notice further said legal action would be initiated if the demands were not met within 10 days of the receipt of the notice.



Talking to The Express Tribune, Butt said that the anthem was created for the purpose of his campaign. He said that his campaign had worked hard and created the anthem and it was meant to be played at election camps and offices and to motivate his workers. He said that the anthem was written and composed by Salah ud Din Farooqui and sung by Asad Qureshi. He said, “It is inappropriate to use someone else’s property without permission. If he had asked us to use the anthem, we might have given permission but it is highly inappropriate to use someone’s hard work without seeking permission first.”

Butt said that he came to know about the ‘theft’ through social media. He said, “I was made aware on social media that our anthem was being used and singer Asad then looked into the matter further and gathered evidence.” He said that he had fulfilled his legal obligation by sending a legal notice and would further pursue the matter.



Singer Asad Qureshi told The Express Tribune that the song was written on June 10 and was recorded on June 12 and was released on June 14. “On June 20, they [PTI candidate] used our track with another video. We gathered the data with screenshots and sent the legal notice,” he said. He added that it was the artists’ property and it should not be used in such as way without permission.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2018.