PESHAWAR: Around 300 Afghan musicians have left their rented offices in Kabari Bazaar, Saddar, Nauthia, Board and Tehkal areas following Pakistan government’s order to pack up.

“About 15 Peshawar-based music groups comprising young Afghan Pashto and Dari singers and instrumentalists born and bred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata have already left their rented offices and houses, gone to Afghanistan along with their family members two months ago,” said Mohammad Iqbal Afridi, a local Pashto singer.

He said that 80 per cent Afghan artists had already left for their homeland so far while the rest were also set to pack up along with their families. He said that most returning Afghan musicians were not happy with their sudden departure after their decades-long sojourn.

Local singer says Afghan artists not happy with their sudden departure

Fazl Rahman Laghmani, 50, head of the lone Afghan music group, told this scribe that earlier around 100 to 150 Afghan artists had rented offices in Peshawar Kabari Bazaar. He said that he was unable to leave Peshawar because he has no home and no prospects of his job in Afghanistan.

“I have married to a local woman here years ago. All my children are born and grown up in Peshawar. I don’t have even a mud house in my village. What will I do there? If forced by the authorities, then I will think over it,” said Mr Laghmani.

He said that Afghan performers introduced a few musical instruments including Ghajaka, Tumoora, Chamba, Naghara, Afghan attnr and ways of expression. He played a popular Pashto folk song Bia Kadey Baregee (Once again households are being packed up) as tears rolled down his cheeks.

“Most were not even sure whether or not they would they find peace in their war-torn country. Some were literally crying when they were leaving us. We had benefited from each other and enriched our slightly different music delicacies across the Durand Line,” said Mr Afridi.

He said that many young Afghan artistes were trained and groomed up there and learnt a lot from their seniors. He said that Afghan musicians received respect and appreciation from locals. He said that Afghan artists flourished and enjoyed full security.

“I don’t remember any single Afghan artist or performer has ever been harassed let alone attacked or robbed by militants. When in early 80s, noted Afghan singer Qamar Gula came to Peshawar, the then deputy commissioner of Peshawar gifted to her a well-furnished home in the city as a goodwill gesture,” said Mr Afridi.

Arshad Akbar, chief of All Artists Union (AAU), said that Afghan artists received accolades from local residents. He said that Ustad Shah Wali, Mangal, Naghma, Ismail Feroz, Munwar, Nawabai, Ustad Said Alam, Rahim Ghamzada, Bariylai Samadi and a host of other Afghan artists remained in KP for a long time and gained widespread fame for their performances.

“Our KP and Fata artists are still being received well in Kabul. Khial Mohammad, Gulpanra, Nazia Iqbal, Karan Khan, Humayun Khan and a few others have a large following in Afghanistan. I hope artists are not mistreated anywhere on any pretext as they are the harbingers of peace,” said Mr Akbar.

Raees Bacha, a popular local singer, said that Afghan government and people had always welcomed KP and Fata artists. He has recently returned from Kabul after participating in musical concert. He said that despite pack up orders from Pakistani authorities, Afghan police and people had given respect to his troupe.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2016