Jagjit Singh Live at DHA Golf Club, Karachi, Pakistan + Interview during the tour with BBC

After a gap of 25 years, Jagjit Singh Ji performed in Pakistan on February 17, 2004.

Jagjit Singh says: "The last time I performed there was on January 26, for a select Indian consulate audience, in Islamabad,". This time it will be a public event in an open auditorium in Karachi. Jagjit Singh ji, who receives fan mail and fan calls from across the border regularly, feels the ghazal night will bring about a note of harmony between India and Pakistan. "Music brings people together". The musical event has been in the making for the last six months, with the Rotary Club of Lahore and Karachi first inviting Jagjit Singh ji around September, last year. "I had declined then due to tension between the two countries," he says. "Now, this is my contribution towards spreading peace in the sub-continent."
Jagjit Singh Ji who was once a critic of Pakistani singers performing in India has made an about-face. He was invited by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to perform in Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore.
Jagjit Singh says: "I don't have any problems with the Pakistani artists now, as their government is letting Indian artists perform in Pakistan."
"My logic was simple," he explains. "When we were not playing cricket and travel was banned between the two countries, why did our government allow Pakistani singers in our country? My complaint was against the Indian government, as they did not do anything to stop Pakistani singers from performing here. "But the situation has changed now. We are allowing people of both countries to travel across the border. We are playing cricket matches too. So why not sing?".
Jagjit Singh Ji during the year of his visit to Pakistan in 2004, also donated a cheque of Rs 3,00,000 to ailing Pakistani ghazal maestro Mehdi Hasan Sahab and later donated all the money collected from the concerts during that year of shows in Pakistan.
Jagjit Singh says: "I was always inspired by Mehdi Hasansaab. When I came to know about his health and financial condition, I did not hesitate to help him".

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