Pakistan President's Spokesperson Says Kabul Was Center of Culture and Music Before Taliban

Murtaza Solangi, spokesperson for Pakistan's president, shared a clip of a concert by Pakistani ghazal singer Mehdi Hassan in Kabul, stating that the city was once a center of culture and music.

Solangi posted on X on Saturday, referencing the performance: "There was a time when Kabul was the center of culture and music. This ghazal performance by Mehdi Hassan was held in Kabul." He added that it occurred "much before the so-called Mujahideen, who were financed with dollars, took power; much before the savage Taliban took over unfortunate Afghanistan and turned it into a large torture camp."

Mehdi Hassan, known as the "Emperor of Ghazal," was popular in Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan. The concert took place in 1960 during the reign of King Zahir Shah, when Kabul attracted prominent Indian and Pakistani artists. Hassan performed in Persian, including the song "Dishab ke to az mehram bam amadeh boodi" at Qasr-e Chehelstun in Kabul.

Solangi's comments highlight Kabul's cultural past before the Mujahideen and Taliban takeovers. Both groups have received Pakistani support at different times. The Taliban considers music haram and prohibits instruments and singing in media and public places. During their current rule, they have burned thousands of musical instruments.