The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to blacklist event management company Event Sajai over alleged mismanagement during Pakistani singer Atif Aslam's concert, including an unauthorized last-minute venue change and security lapses.
The directive was issued in a letter sent to the cultural affairs secretary on July 26 and signed by Deputy Secretary Israt Jahan.
According to the letter, Event Sajai had received permission to organize the concert at the Cricketers Academy adjacent to the Purbachal Expressway in Khilkhet. However, the company allegedly violated the terms of the permit by changing the venue at the last moment without prior approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The ministry said the venue change led to widespread disorder during the event, raising concerns over law and order and prompting strong reactions from attendees.
It also alleged that the organizers' failure to comply with the approved venue conditions and overall mismanagement put the foreign artist and other performers at security risk.
The letter said the venue lacked adequate facilities and sufficient security arrangements, causing inconvenience to concertgoers.
The ministry further noted that the incident sparked widespread criticism on social media and received negative coverage in various news outlets.
In light of the incident, the Ministry of Home Affairs requested the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to investigate Event Sajai's role, blacklist the company, and take legal action if warranted.
Copies of the directive were also sent to the director general of the National Security Intelligence (NSI), the additional inspector general of the Special Branch of Police, and the commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), among other relevant authorities.