Musician accuses KP govt of mismanaging artists at Dubai Expo

Show host says the band was not punctual, artist denies.

KARACHI:

Singer and rabab player Irfan Ali Taj took social media on Saturday to detail how the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Department (KPCTA), alongside an advertising and event management firm ‘failed’ to deliver what was promised to him at the Dubai Expo. Taj, along with his band of three musicians were invited to perform at the Expo only to discover that their name wasn’t even on the list of performers.

After a heated argument with the host and inquiry with the organisers, the artists came to know that their technical and hospitality rider was 'not forwarded', let alone their performance schedule or names. According to Taj, Jamshaid Ali Khan, the person who had signed the contract with him was also present at the venue but refused to entertain them, offering them to either lip-sync on stage or face a ‘ban’ on performing in Pakistan. Disgruntled and dejected, they came back to Karachi and Taj shared his ordeal on Facebook.

“He was in a breach of contract and on top of that, he threatened us on the venue,” Taj told The Express Tribune. “I told him I have some integrity as an artist and I didn’t come all the way here with a band, prepared with a set to only lip-synch to my own songs.”

According to Taj, the project was initially pitched to him in October 2021 by Haseena Shaukat of KPCTA, who had told him to prepare a setlist for the Pakistan Pavilion. She had informed him that Jamshaid Ali Khan, who also hosts a show at Khyber TV, will be in touch for further coordination. As promised, Jamshaid reached out to the artists and the contract mentioning the hospitality and technical rider was signed between Taj and him. “It wasn’t until much later that Jamshaid claimed he is only officially roped in as a host by Macroosm Advertising and Events,” shared the Ibn-e-Adam singer.

Irfan was also initially told his performance would take place on January 2 but after being pushed to January 7, it was moved to January 13 and later rescheduled for January 14. In his contract, Taj had also asked for 50% advance, which he planned to use for jam room bookings, and 50% of the remaining payment before his performance at the Expo. “A few months later, I received only 40% of my advance after repeated reminders and I haven’t received the remaining amount yet. Instead, upon returning to Pakistan, I was contacted by some Atif who told me that I will only get my remaining payment if I send in an apology letter, taking responsibility for whatever went down at the pavilion. Or else I will be banned from performing anywhere in my own country.”

Contrary to Irfan’s claims, Jamshaid has told The Express Tribune that his required equipment, as per the tech rider, had reached the Expo stage management team but Irfan’s band was ‘missing in action'. “I was taken to the Expo as a host. The KPCTA left its managerial work to a firm that roped me in to host gigs meant to represent the KP culture. I was requested to coordinate with the artists I’ll be hosting on stage, including Gul Panra, Sofia Kaif as well as Irfan. I had never heard this boy’s name before,” claimed Jamshaid.

The TV anchor then admitted to calling up Irfan and giving him a low down of the event but did not mention signing any contract, which does boast his name and signature. “Irfan’s manager and guitarist Anas [Alam], who behaved like he was attending a programme of this stature for the first time, kept messaging me to ensure he and his band are provided accommodation in a 5-star hotel with good food. I let his excitement slide because we all thought ‘bachcha hai’. From ministers to secretaries to DGs to all artists I accompanied, every one of us received the same accommodation in two hotels – Novotel and ABS. Irfan and his buddies all received separate rooms, leaving them with nothing to complain about. The firm also sent them money for food for their three-day stay in Dubai,” claimed Jamshaid.

However, in his video on Facebook, Irfan said that their demand of having separate rooms, too, was breached. “We ignored that,” Irfan had claimed. To which Jamshaid said that all their requirments were met and it was their “lack of timeliness” that led to their equipment being “removed” from the stage.

“Khumariyaan was called in for a soundcheck at 3 pm, their performance was at 5PM. They came on time, rehearsed, left and then came back to perform. Now, Irfan’s performance was at 9PM. I personally accompanied him and his band to the sun stage at 8PM. An African performance was underway and the stage manager told me it’ll wind up by 8:50PM. I told her these boys needed to rehearse and then perform. She assured Irfan’s equipment would be up on stage by 9:00PM so they could do the soundcheck till 9:30 and then perform.”

According to Jamshaid, Irfan and his band decided to “go grab drinks and smoke” just when they had to go on stage. “Irfan started asking for a green room. Soundcheck happens on stage before the performance, I told him to get on stage with his band. He said ‘okay’ and went away before the equipment was being set up. Everything as per their tech rider was in place by 9:00PM. But they returned at 9:25PM and went straight to the stage manager, who had gotten everything removed by then. She told them they cannot do their soundcheck anymore since only 4 minutes were left for their performance,” he shared.

Jamshaid also alleged that the manager’s decision was in accordance with ‘Expo SOPs’, since Irfan’s name was also announced thrice before equipment was removed. He admitted, however, that Irfan’s performance was rescheduled twice because “when 92 countries are participating at one event, some readjustments are bound to happen. Even Gul Panra and Sofia’s performance was pushed.” But as for the payments, he remarked, “Anas and Irfan asked me for the 50% payment, I told them that that is between the firm, KPCTA and them. I still requested on their behalf and the firm did send them Rs200, 000.”

Now, Taj has also announced on his Facebook that Jamshaid is feeding people with “lies” and he will be sending him a legal notice. “The videos I posted show a clear picture of the story. I have gathered a lot more evidence to support my stand. I am going to send these guys a legal notice tomorrow.” He added, that he would release all the messages and voice notes of his interaction with the KPCTA and Jamshaid on Twitter. “May be that will make them understand their mistake. This campaign will not stop now,” he concluded.

According to Taj, Shaukat from KPCTA also spoke to him two days ago, and said that she had forwarded his contracts to the Expo management team but “due to some ‘loophole’, they didn’t reach the team responsible.” She also allegedly claimed that had he not left impulsively, KPCTA would’ve made necessary arrangements within half an hour. “But that is not what I was told at the venue,” Taj lamented.

Shaukat was not available to comment on the matter despite repeated attempts.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.