Sanam Marvi serves legal notice on Arts Council Karachi president Ahmed Shah

Singer Sanam Marvi has served a legal notice on Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi President Ahmed Shah, levelling allegations of mistreatment and extending threats at a recent concert in Sukkur.

On August 10, the ACP organised a concernt at Jinnah Municipal Stadium in Sukkur as part of a series of concerts on behalf of the Sindh government to celebrate Marka-e-Haq and Independence Day.

Marvi was scheduled to perform alongside artists including Asim Azhar, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Bilal Saeed, the Young Stunners, and HAVI.

In the notice, Marvi claimed, “the organisers wilfully failed to answer her calls for an inordinate period of approximately one and a half hours, from 8:30am to 9:40am, thereby intentionally causing delay in her arrival."

"Such acts, as admitted and evidenced through communications with relevant individuals, were motivated by prejudice against her with the ulterior object of preventing her from timely entry to the venue," read the notice.

It added that the singer was compelled to reach the venue on her own, even dispatching her brothers to assist, only to be left standing outside for an unreasonable duration, in full view of her fans, fellow musicians, and her entire band.

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The singer claimed that Shah physically pushed her and “shouted at her in an aggressive and intimidating tone”.

“You have further advanced unlawful threats, openly declaring that you would not permit her to step onto the stage, and went so far as to hurl vile and abusive language at her. Such disgraceful conduct, directed towards a lady of her standing and reputation, a distinguished folk singer and cultural icon of the nation, constitutes a gross affront to her dignity, honour, and professional stature," said the notice.

Marvi sought a public apology and Rs50 million in damages for alleged harm to her reputation, emotional suffering, and financial losses.

In response to the notice, Dawn Images quoted Ahmed Shah as rejecting allegations. He said that Marvi's performance slot had already passed by the time she arrived, around 10–10:15pm, despite being asked to reach by 7:30pm.

Even Rahat Fateh Ali Khan reached the venue at 6pm because the entire show was to be closed at a certain time, he added.