Segregation at concerts, while not the norm in Pakistan circa 2019, is a reality at times. One example is the recent reunion Junoon concert, presented by Geo TV and Peek Freans Sooper.
Whether it is an idea put in motion due to creeping conservatism that is simply taking us back to a darker age as a society or a necessity at times is the question Instep put before Ahsan Bari, who has participated in both smaller shows and bigger ones and was one of the opening acts with his band, Sounds of Kolachi, at the Junoon reunion show.
“It is wise,” Bari said, pointing to the Junoon concert, which had a segregated section along with mixed sections and family enclosures.
“Things have changed drastically in the last 10 to 15 years. During this period, extremism has risen to the next level. The result of everything that has happened means that girls and women don’t feel so safe anymore. That is my observation. This is the reason why women/girls don’t attend concerts anymore. They don’t feel comfortable. So, if there is a circle just for females, it is fine. They can come alone. This Junoon concert was also not small. There were thousands of people. The girls and boys who wanted to enjoy together, they had space, too. And so did families. It’s not a bad idea for a country like Pakistan. It will take some time for us to stand together. But the mindset, right now, you don’t know. Some people are not used to standing next to girls. You never know what will happen. For the time being, it is wise, until we can grow the culture where both genders feel comfortable; it is better to do it than to have a mishap.”
What if the segregation grows?
Said Ahsan Bari: “It also depends on what kind of a concert it is. There was a Salt Arts concert – it was small and there, the mixing of [genders] works. For such big concerts (as Junoon reunion), Pakistan is still too young. We cannot afford it. The frustration in society, what if something happens to a girl? In such an environment, however, it is better to take as many precautions as possible. The fact that it happened in the first place is a good thing.”
