Pakistani artists could be late for Oslo Mela

LAHORE: Pakistani artists scheduled to perform at the Oslo Mela 2004 might not arrive in time because their seats on a PIA flight to Norway at 10.30am on Wednesday morning are unconfirmed. A Pakistani official who is helping with organising the event told Daily Times that eight performers that are part of Sher Miandad qawal’s party, who are to perform at a pre-festival qawali night on August 19, were still in Pakisan, though Sher Miandad is in Oslo. “If the artists don’t reach Oslo on time, the Mela 2004 will be an utter embarrassment for Pakistan,” the official said. “Norway’s Crown Princess is to open the mela, which is a joint cultural event aimed at promoting both Pakistani and Norwegian,” he said. Besides the qawal party, ten other Pakistani artists are still here. The official said the artists booked their flights ten days ago, but their seats were not confirmed. He said PIA should give these artists on the flight because they were going to Norway to promote Pakistani culture. The next flight to Norway after Wednesday is on August 21, but the festival starts on August 20. PIA officials were unavailable for comment. staff report

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