🎤 Sanam Marvi vs Arts Council:

Sanam Marvi Sends Legal Notice to Arts Council Karachi President Ahmed Shah Over Sukkur Concert Dispute

Renowned Pakistani folk singer Sanam Marvi has served a legal notice to Ahmed Shah, President of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, accusing him of threatening, mistreating, and preventing her from performing at a concert in Sukkur on August 10, 2025. Shah has rejected all allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated.

The Incident at Sukkur Concert

According to the legal notice, the dispute arose during an event held at Jinnah Municipal Stadium, Sukkur, as part of a series of Independence Day celebrations organized by the Arts Council in collaboration with the Sindh government. Marvi, who had successfully performed in Hyderabad on August 8 for the same series, claimed that on August 10, she was deliberately delayed and then denied entry to the stage.

The concert featured several well-known artists, including Asim Azhar, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Bilal Saeed, Young Stunners, and HAVI.

Claims of Discrimination and Mistreatment

The notice, dated August 11 and issued through Marvi’s lawyer, states that when the singer tried to contact organizers, her calls went unanswered for nearly 90 minutes. This delay, the notice claims, was a deliberate act of discrimination against her as a Sindhi artist.

Marvi alleges she had to make her own way to the venue, even sending her brothers to assist, only to be kept waiting outside “in full view of her fans and fellow musicians.” The notice further accuses Ahmed Shah of physically pushing her, shouting in an intimidating tone, and using abusive language, along with openly declaring he would not allow her on stage.

The folk singer describes this as an attack on her dignity, professional standing, and mental well-being, demanding a public apology and Rs50 million in damages for reputational harm, emotional distress, and financial losses. She warned that failure to comply within seven days would lead to both civil and criminal proceedings.

Ahmed Shah’s Response

In response, Ahmed Shah denied the accusations, telling media that “it’s all lies” and asserting that he has not received the notice officially, despite it circulating on social media.

Shah claims that Marvi’s scheduled entry time was 7:00pm, but she arrived between 10:00 and 10:15pm—well after the performance slot had passed. He added that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan had reached the venue by 6:00pm, as the show had to conclude at a fixed time. Shah insists he met Marvi only briefly at Sukkur Gymkhana, invited her for tea, and never engaged in abusive behavior.

Shah also pointed out that Marvi was reportedly delayed due to a road blockade on the Indus Highway, which she herself mentioned in a social media video. Emphasizing his decades of service to Sindh’s arts and culture, he dismissed the matter as politically driven and vowed to respond formally once served.