Amanat was talking to IANS where he said that art and entertainment industry was the soft target and that political tensions were causing a lot of loss on both sides of the border.
“Art and entertainment industry is a soft target. They know that they can’t fight back, so just ban it. It is very easy. Otherwise, there is a lot of trade that is happening between India and Pakistan.”
He also gave example of the Attari-Wagah border where he said exchange of goods takes places and import/export business is running full-fledged. He said that they could not put a ban on such exchanges because an uproar would occur.
Shafqat Amanat Ali performs a Medley with Indian singer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsibolCOJq0
"If we stop that, it would lead to chaos. But they know that they if they put a ban on artists or actors or people who are related to art, they will express themselves through media or social media platforms. Nothing else.”
Indian journalists Bhupen Chobe agrees with Khan
Naya Daur reached out to Indian journalist Bhupen Chobe who said he agreed with what Khan had to say.
"I believe it is very important for people on both sides of the border to have a healthy exchange with eachother. And I believe artists have a very important role to perform."
India vs Pakistan music contests are vastly popular on both sides
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R4eqU6BFeI
"What Shafqat Amanat Ali has said, I think it is absolutely correct. I don't think that without Indian artists performing in Pakistan or without Pakistani artists performing in India, we are taking any step forward. We can not change our borders," he said.
In September 2016, Indian film association banned Pakistani artists from performing in India due to 'hostile circumstances' between the two countries.
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