Lahore police lodge case against Qawwal for singing 'Qaidi No 804' song

The Lahore police have registered a case against a singer for performing a controversial song during a government-sponsored cultural programme held at Shalimar Gardens.

According to the police, a Qawwal identified as Faraz Khan sang a track titled “Qaidi No 804” during the event, which is associated with incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan.

The singer has been accused of giving political colour to the event, which was meant to be a non-political cultural gathering.

The FIR was filed on the complaint of Shalimar Gardens in charge Zameerul Hasan, who said that the programme was organised by the Walled City of Lahore Authority as a music and cultural night with no political agenda. He alleged that the singer knowingly performed the song despite being aware of its political associations.

According to the complaint, the song was performed after requests from a section of the audience. However, the complainant maintained that the singer should have exercised caution, as the event was open to the general public and attended by people with varying political views.

The FIR further stated that performing such a song at a public cultural event could have led to tension, unrest or even violence. The police said that the singer and those accompanying him were booked for allegedly attempting to politicise the event, and further legal action is under way.