SIALKOT: Authorities in Sialkot have cancelled the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for a planned musical and Qawwali night on Daska Road following a stampede at the wedding celebrations of popular TikToker Anser Mahmood, widely known as Mr Patlo, which left one person dead and more than 18 others injured.
According to a spokesperson for the district administration, the NOC issued for the private event stipulated that the programme could begin only after Isha prayers. However, reports emerged that organisers had started making arrangements at around 4pm, well before the permitted time, in violation of the prescribed conditions.
After reviewing the situation, Deputy Commissioner Owais Mushtaq ordered the immediate cancellation of the NOC. The administration said the decision was taken before the event began to prevent possible violations and avoid another untoward incident.
One Dead, More Than 18 Injured in Wedding Stampede
The cancellation follows a stampede during Mr Patlo’s Mehndi ceremony at Faraz Cricket Ground on Daska Road on Saturday night, in which one person, identified as Aqeel, lost his life and more than 18 others were injured.
According to police, members of the public had also been invited to the wedding celebration. Announcements on social media reportedly promised cash prizes, a car, 50 motorcycles, mobile phones and other valuable gifts.
The announcements attracted large crowds from Sialkot and neighbouring districts, including Gujranwala, Gujrat, Wazirabad, Narowal and Mandi Bahauddin.
According to the FIR registered on behalf of the police, an announcement was made from the stage asking people to enter the ground. As a large number of attendees attempted to enter simultaneously, a stampede broke out, resulting in the fatality and injuries.
Case Registered Against Mr Patlo and Eight Others
Police registered a case against nine nominated suspects, including Mr Patlo, along with 45 unidentified individuals. Six people have been arrested, while efforts are under way to apprehend the remaining nominated suspects.
The FIR includes charges relating to causing death through negligence, violation of official orders, vandalism, incitement and unlawful assembly.
Eyewitnesses Describe Chaotic Scenes
Muhammad Rafiq, an injured eyewitness, said the crowd outside the ground continued to grow because of announcements about prize distribution. He said attendees had been told that the prizes would be distributed after 9pm, prompting many people to remain at the venue.
Another injured attendee, Abdul Rashid, alleged that the organisers and security personnel lacked an effective crowd-management plan. He said conflicting announcements about the programme and prize distribution increased frustration among the participants.
Eyewitnesses said that when the gates opened, people rushed towards the entrance simultaneously. Security personnel allegedly used batons to control the crowd, further aggravating the situation. Several people reportedly fell and were trampled underfoot.
Mr Patlo Issues Video Statement
Following the incident, Mr Patlo released a video message on social media, announcing that his wedding celebrations had been postponed and urging people to return home.
He claimed that he had suffered an injury after falling at his home a day earlier and was therefore unable to attend the scheduled events.
Meanwhile, his social media team said he had intended to distribute gifts among his fans and guests as part of his wedding celebrations. However, the crowd reportedly grew beyond the organisers’ capacity to manage.
The team attributed the incident to the early opening of the gates and a shortage of security personnel.
The cancellation of the separate Qawwali night permit marks another administrative development following the fatal stampede, as authorities seek to prevent a recurrence of such an incident.
