Social media is abuzz with Scrap Fest – a ‘musical concert of eunuchs/transgender community’ – curated by Urvah Khan a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin.
Urvah Khan announced her return to Pakistan with this new live music series in 2017. According to her, Scrap Fest is the first female-fronted LGBTQ-friendly rock festival to promote local performers, as she believes rock music is dying so she calls it scrap fest.
As per its website, musical concerts under this name were held in Karachi in September and November 2021 and according to Urvah Khan n's website, in late 2021, against all odds, Urvah Khan organised a two-night festival featuring queer/trance and associated artists.
She announced Scrap Festival on February 4 at Urban Forest Clifton this year. There was a backlash including social media campaigns and Twitter's trend to slap a ban on it calling it against religious and moral values.
One of the critics writes Muslims of any region are not ready to accept this Western agenda. the Western governments are busy promoting their plans, a clear example of which is the organization of events like this.
Another stated it is heartbreaking to see the rapidly growing trend of LGBTQ in Pakistan. “It is worrisome to organize an event like Scrap Fest in Karachi.
Celebs too expressed their opinions. Actress Aiman Khan supported while fashion designer Maria B condemned it.
With millions of Pakistanis calling for a ban on the festival, Twitter is flooded with concerned users hoping to see quick and strict action against those who arranged the event.
This year’s festival was a musical concert of eunuchs/transgender community but it has been branded as a same-sex spree, Shehzadi Roy, the organizer said. A few months ago, Shehzadi Rai organized a transgender march in Karachi for the first time.
Scrap Fest brings together Pakistan and international underground performers and trans featuring rockers, rappers, singers, dance acts, DJs, and virtual performances.
The Sindh High Court suspended the permission granted by the local administration for holding the festival as a petitioner told the two-judge bench that the permission for it was illegally granted and argued that NOC was issued for holding the event on an amenity plot, which has been reserved for plantation and greenery only and cannot be used for any other purpose.
The court issued pre-admission notices to the Karachi commissioner, deputy commissioner (South) and other respondents as well advocate general for February 9.
Last year, the festival made headlines after a German diplomat was accused of harassment, resulting in his suspension as the event was co-funded by the German Consulate.
Roy says that last year it was decided to work on a transgender performance that would invite transgender dancers, singers and comedians, so funds were raised for the event and a series of festivals were organized in Lahore and Islamabad.
"The proposed festival in Karachi was made controversial by spreading misinformation and rumours, and it was said that homosexuality was being promoted through it. The court also issued a decision without hearing us, which did not meet the requirements of justice. does not.'
According to her, there were performances by Dr Mohrib Lucky Ali, Alina from Joyland film, a dance group from Lyari and others in this festival, but due to security concerns, many performances were affected and they could not attend. 'It was a public event that had to be booked to attend and someone in the community had to take responsibility.'
In the videos shared by Scrapfest on social media, some of the transgenders besides Urwa Khan can be seen performing, in which they are singing and dancing to Urdu songs.
The Parliament has passed the law for protecting the rights and ensuring the betterment of eunuchs/ transgenders.
The court issued pre-admission notices to the Karachi commissioner, deputy commissioner (South) and other respondents as well advocate general for February 9.