August 15, 2007	Wednesday	Sha’aban 1, 1428

LAHORE, Aug 14: Thousands of the people who thronged Wagah on Tuesday were disappointed at the cancellation of the star-studded concert to be held at the India-Pakistan border to mark the 60 years of the creation both the countries.

The concert was to feature the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, composer AR Rahman, actress Juhi Chawala, singers Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ali Azmat and Shafqat Amanat Ali and Atif Asalm and cricketer Wasim Akram.

Even though the border security officials said they had never been intimated about the concert, the art-loving crowd believed the gala had been called off due to security concerns.

Non-government organisation Rotes 2 Rotes and US-based Friends without Borders had planned the concert Dil se Dil close to the fenced border between Pakistan and India.

“My all dreams of seeing the King Khan performing live have been dashed,” said Muhammad Manzoor who, along with his five friends, had come from Sheikhupura.

“If the concert was called off due to security reasons, it is all rubbish,” said Manzoor. Pointing towards long queues of people eager to reach the Bab-i-Azadi, he said thousands of the people had put “security threats” behind by thronging Wagah to celebrate the Independence Day, which showed that the matter of heart and happiness were worth risking life.

A Ranger’s official said up to 200,000 entrance tickets to the Bab-i-Azadi had been sold by 5pm. Security officials baton-charged the crowd on a number of occasions.

The government banned Independence Day celebrations at public places after a spate of suicide bombings in the country.

“Had the concert held as per planned, hundreds of thousands of the people from either side would have crossed the fence to kiss or shake hands with their favourite stars,” said Moazzam Ali Bokhari, also from Sheikhupura.

A woman who refused to tell her name said she had arrived at the crossing point to see Juhi Chawala.

In a fit of disappointment, she said, “Melodies of Atif Aslam and dance of Juhi Chawala would have melt the heart of a suicide bomber if one had plans to detonate himself.”