Police in Lahore have registered a case against a qawwal for allegedly giving a political colour to a government-sponsored cultural event by performing a controversial song associated with former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan.

According to officials, the incident took place on Sunday during a cultural night organized at Shalimar Gardens by the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA). The event was officially described as a non-political music and cultural gathering open to the general public.

The FIR was lodged on the complaint of Shalimar Gardens in charge, Zameerul Hasan, who accused the singer, identified as Faraz Khan, of deliberately performing a song titled “Qaidi No 804”, which is widely associated with the jailed PTI leader.

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The complainant stated that despite the non-political nature of the event, the qawwal and his accompanying musicians performed the song on the demand of certain audience members, allegedly knowing its political connotations.

In the FIR, Hasan maintained that the singer should have exercised caution, as the public event was attended by individuals belonging to various political affiliations. He alleged that performing the song had the potential to incite unrest or provoke political tension among attendees.

Police officials said the performance posed a possible threat to public order and could have led to law-and-order issues. As a result, the singer and his companions were booked under relevant legal provisions for allegedly exploiting a cultural event for political purposes.

Authorities have reiterated that government-sponsored cultural programs must remain politically neutral to ensure harmony and avoid controversy.