The Sindh High Court has suspended the permission granted by local administration for holding a ‘Scrap Fest’ event at a Clifton park on Saturday (today).
A non-governmental organization petitioned the SHC alleging that the organizers were holding the Scrap Fest, an LGBTQ event.
The petition was submitted by the general secretary of Al-Siddique Welfare Society, who claimed that permission for Scrap Fest had been improperly obtained in order to benefit a “marginalized community-based festival.”
The petitioner’s attorney also requested a restraining order to prevent the conduct of such an event at Clifton’s Urban Forest Park.
A two-judge bench headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi issued pre-admission notices to the Karachi commissioner, deputy commissioner (South) and other respondents as well advocate general for Feb 9.
The DC and SSP-South were also instructed to attend the subsequent hearing date with the pertinent record.
“In the meanwhile,” the bench ruled “the permission/NOC granted by the respondents to hold the aforesaid festival/event on 04.02.2023 shall remain suspended,” adding that the official respondents have to ensure that no such festival/event shall be allowed to take place without permission of the court.
What’s Scrap Fest?
Scrap Fest is reportedly a Canadian-based LGBTQ event that began as a competition for scrap metal artwork and evolved into a full art festival with a focus on up cycled and repurposed artwork, family activities, live music, and cuisine. The event was scheduled for February 4(today) in Karachi, Pakistan, this year. Urvah Khan, a Pakistani singer of Canadian descent, was supposed to serve as the event’s host along with several underground and trans acts.
Scrapfest Karachi was co-funded by the German Consulate (Vice) and was attended by a German consular who ended up in the middle of a harassment investigation and was suspended.
In 2017, Urvah Khan announced her return to Pakistan with a new live music series; ‘Scrap Fest’. In her previous YouTube videos, Khan said that Scrap Fest will be the first female-fronted LGBTQ-friendly rock festival.
How did Pakistani media and social media react?
A celebration that at first glance seemed harmless has evolved into a serious threat to Pakistani culture and its Islamic values as Pakistani media has called for the outright ban on the event. The festival, also known as Scrap Fest, sparked a contentious discussion on social media platforms, with many well-known Lollywood actors demanding for strict punishment.
Actress Aiman Khan supported while revered fashion designer Maria B openly condemned Scrap Fest and those celebrating.
Social media users have also expressed their outrage and worry, arguing that any and all events that challenge the identity of Muslims and other religions require forceful action.
The most heartbreaking thing to see the LGBTQ concept growing in Pakistan????. While every other person out there is busy talking about politics no one talks about this and how much we need to stop this. #banscrapfest #BanLGBTQ #BanLGBTQinPakistan pic.twitter.com/sK4NbSBBB2
— Fatiha Ahsan Khan Yusafzai (@fatiha_zai) January 31, 2023
While people of Pakistan are busy fighting each other on religion and politics LGBT are growing at alarming rate in Pakistan if we will not take action quickly we and our uncoming generations will end up like Qaum-e-Lout wake up before its too late for real cause#banscrapfest
— Usama ki Memes (@Usamakimemes1) January 30, 2023
Twitter is crowded with worried people hoping to see prompt and harsh action against those who organized the event, while millions of Pakistanis have called for a ban on the festival.
Don’t let these so called human rights activist destroy our nation please wakeup now and stand for the nation and save ourselves being a true Muslim nation #banscrapfest pic.twitter.com/EdnwyxmECb
— Miss Memer (@Izza_Dar) January 31, 2023
What do the organizers say?
The organizers of the ‘Scrap Fest festival’ contend that it’s an event for “marginalized community”. One of the event’s organizers, Urvah Khan, revealed to The Current that the exhibition only comprises musicians from Pakistani minority groups, and not just in terms of gender and sexuality.
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Urvah told The Current that Scrap Fest (Pakistan) is a performance-based music festival showcasing artists from the trans and underground community of Pakistan. Ranging from trans singers/ dancers/ comedians, rappers and hip hop artists from Lyari to musicians and more.
“This show exclusively features artists from minority groups of Pakistan. Not just based on gender and sexuality but also featuring artists who continue to face discrimination based on race and class.”
While talking about the reasons why the event has been shifted to a virtual venue, Khan said, “The event has been shifted virtually to ensure the physical safety of our artists and audiences. Regardless, by going virtual, now the whole world will be able to see the talent, drive, passion and commitment our artists and communities hold.”
Scrap Fest is a platform created by an artist for artists. Artists who don’t get paid opportunities to showcase their art respectfully come together on this platform to celebrate one another.
