LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's celebrated DJ Butt is threatening to take legal action against the party over non-payment of his services during its protracted sit-ins last year in the capital.

In an email written by him and obtained by DawnNews, his agreement with the party puts the cost for his services at a whopping Rs130 million — brought down to Rs110 million after a 'concession'.

Butt claimed that the party still owes him Rs50 million after Rs60 million were paid during the sit-in. He added that he has been waiting for payment for around seven months and may take legal action if he does not receive payment soon.

Ironically, it was reported last year that DJ Butt refused to charge PTI for his services.

Also read: The DJ at D-chowk

“As a sound engineer, I was charging Rs35,000 per day until August 30. Since the clashes between police and PTI and Pakistan Awaami Tehreek workers, I refused to charge PTI anymore,” Butt had said.

“Do you know why? It is because I am now part of the sit-in like any other supporter,” he had declared.

He had explained that it is his association with PTI that shot him to fame and because of this he does not want to charge PTI for his services.

DJ Butt pictured during the Islamabad protests spearheaded by the PTI last year — Photo by Irfan Haider

Muhammad Asif, popularly known as DJ Butt, has been a permanent feature at PTI rallies and major party events. But the disc jockey soared to fame for his music and stage lighting during the PTI's months-long sit-in in Islamabad last year.

The sound engineer provided sound systems, lights, generators and back-up generators and blared party songs that at times interrupted Khan's speech.

Take a look: DJ Butt — the unlikely bridge between two containers

“No one gives me any cues. It’s my call and I know when to start or stop the music. Speakers don’t know when they will be cut off during their speech at any given point,” Butt had said in an earlier interview.

He had also said: “I make enough money from PTI jalsas — so much that I don’t need to play anywhere else.”

PTI responds

In response to Butt's allegations, the PTI has claimed that the bill is not as high as the DJ claims, and that a two-member committee is probing into the matter.

Naeemul Haq, Chief of Staff to PTI chairman Imran Khan, has called DJ Butt to Islamabad for a meeting and said that the matter will be resolved soon.