HYDERABAD: Large crowds, mostly composed of youth and families, turned up at Rani Bagh to listen to their favourite singers at a mega musical event, part of ongoing celebrations for marka-e-haq and the 78th Indepen­dence Day, on Friday.

What made the grand concert so special for Hyderabad residents was the performance of ace singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. Other famous artists like Sanam Marvi, Balochi singer Akhtar Chanal, Kaifi Khalil and Young Stunners also shared the stage with him.

All roads were leading to Rani Bagh on the day except a few which had been barricaded to avoid traffic gridlock around the recreation spot, which had been chosen by Sindh government to hold its mega event.

The musical show is the first of a series of three mega events. The other two would be organised in Sukkur and Karachi in collaboration with Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP).

“Sindh government is holding these events to make people part of the Independence Day and marka-e-haq celebrations,” said the event’s lead organiser and ACP president, Ahmad Shah while talking to Dawn at the venue.

“All local stakeholders including Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, district administration, police and other authorities are cooperating with us,” he said.

It is being billed as the only mega event to be staged in Hyderabad over the past four decades. Earlier, India’s Sukhbir Singh had performed in a show at Hyderabad Club in early 2000 where Umar Sharif and actress Noor had shared the stage with Sukhbir.

In past, Rahat’s paternal uncle late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who shot to prominence during World Cup 1992 thanks to his qawalis, was scheduled to perform at Niaz Stadium in August 1994.

It could have proved to be a historic event but torrential monsoon rains forced the event’s organisers to shift the venue to a local marriage garden on Autobahn Road, reducing it to a low-key event. Rahat had last performed in the city in 2019.

Shah said that roughly over Rs50 million would be spent on the show involving huge paraphernalia brought from Karachi. Since a huge crowd was expected to converge on the venue the authorities decided to seal several routes to avoid traffic gridlock around the venue since it did not have enough parking spaces.

He informed that separate male and female enclosures had been created in addition to media’s. Journalists were issued special passes.

Mismanagement spoils the show

Contrary to expectations and tall claims made by the organisers and stakeholders the mega event became a messy affair by the time it kicked off at around 9pm.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan had appeared on stage after 11:15 pm and people, mostly families, had started leaving in droves.

“It’s a total failure and not a family affair,” said Rafiq Soomro, a resident of Qasimabad. He was leaving with his family members at 10pm and said that nothing was organised at this free for all affair.

Segregation for male and female enclosures came to a naught. “We are leaving as men are falling on us,” said a girl in disappointment. People crossed all barricades made of bamboos tied with ropes to find access near the stage as policemen looked helpless.

“We understand things are not going our way,” said G.M. Buriro, secretary to Hyderabad mayor.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2025