Even as military cooperation has deepened between Pakistan and a ‘new’ Bangladesh since August 8, 2024, there is now a visible strengthening of cultural ties between the two countries despite pre- and post-1971 animosities between two linguistically distinct nations.
As part of this growing cultural exchange between the two previously antagonistic nations, an 11-member troupe of singers from Pakistan, Young Stunners, would perform a repertoire of Urdu songs in Dhaka at the United Convention Hall on October 17 before leaving for their home country on October 18.
At least two other Pakistani singers – Momina Mustehsan and Aima Baig – have performed in Dhaka this year.
While Baig performed on April 12, 2025, at the ‘One True Sound Grand’ concert at the Sena Malancha in the Bangladesh capital, Mustehsan performed for Coke Studio Bangladesh in August 2025.
Bangladesh Culture Ministry documents accessed by Northeast News reveal that a Dhaka-based cultural organisation, Rishka Connects, wrote to relevant government officials seeking cooperation in facilitating the programme.
In a letter to the Culture Ministry headed by Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Rishka Connects’ Managing Director Rizwan Mehran Aayian sought the government’s assistance in welcoming the Pakistani singers.
Documents submitted by Rishka Connects with the Culture Ministry show that the event will be an “indoor cultural musical concert” that will begin at the United Convention Centre at 4 pm on October 17.
Rishka Connects claims in its application to the Culture Ministry that it would be “responsible for the accommodation, safety and expenses” of the artists “for the entire duration of their stay in Bangladesh”.
Besides, Rishka Connects wrote that “the venue for the event has been carefully selected with security as the top priority” and that the organisers would also “ensure adequate security at the venue to avoid any untoward incidents”.
The organisers sought “income tax exemption…on the artists’ remuneration”.
A Culture Ministry Deputy Secretary Amitabh Paran Talukdar issued a notification on September 28, pointing out that the Pakistani singers’ performance would be “commercial” in nature.
However, the same notification also pointed out that each of the Pakistani performers would be paid an amount of US$ 3,500, based on the prevailing government exchange rate of BDT 121.37.
This amounts to BDT 4,24,585 per performer, including singers and other hands.
Acting with urgency, the Bangladesh Home Ministry granted permission to the event on September 29, documents reveal.
While the fees for each of the guest performers would be borne by Rishka Connects, the event organiser would also pick up the air travel, hotel and food bills.
The Pakistani artists include three singers [Talhah Yunus, Talha Anjum (both rappers) and Hasan Raheem], two guitarists, a drummer, a disk jockey, three crew members and a manager.
All relevant documents, including copies of air tickets, agreement between Rishka Connects and the Pakistani troupe, passports, e-trade licence, documents related to the venue, the organiser’s certificates reflecting its Business Identification Number (BIN) and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), have already been provided to the ministry.
All documents related to the invitation to the Pakistani performers have been shared by the Culture Ministry with senior officials of the Home Ministry, Security Division, the National Revenue Board.
