In a recent Q&A session on Instagram, popular Pakistani singer Falak Shabir expressed his skepticism about the ban on Pakistani artists working in India being lifted, despite recent developments. When asked about the ban and its implications for Pakistani artists, he conveyed his belief that there would be no change. Falak shared his own experience, stating that he had received a notice from T-Series while in Mumbai in 2015, indicating that “they will never remove this ban.”
He further shared an image of a press release letter sent by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) that explained the reasons behind the ban. The statement from FWICE mentioned that the ban was due to the “war-like situation” created by Pakistan, resulting in the loss of soldiers and civilians in India. It expressed solidarity with Indian security forces and their families and emphasized the principle of “Nation comes first.”
Falak Shabir’s comments come after recent reports that the Bombay High Court rejected a petition in favor of banning Pakistani artists from working in India. Faaiz Anwar Qureshi had filed the petition, arguing that several artists from Pakistan should not be allowed to work in India, including singers, musicians, actors, and technicians.
However, Justices Sunil B Shukre and Firdosh P Pooniwala did not agree with the ban and believed that it was necessary for peace and harmony between the two countries. They emphasized the importance of promoting activities that bring about peace, unity, and harmony, transcending nationalities, cultures, and borders, such as arts, music, sports, culture, and dance.
The ban on Pakistani artists working in India came into effect in 2019 in response to demands from certain quarters in India to restrict cultural and artistic exchanges with Pakistan. Consequently, celebrities like Fawad Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ali Zafar, Mahira Khan, and Atif Aslam were no longer allowed to work in India.
