A clash between the Punjab Excise and Taxation Department and party-organiser Full Circle Corporate Marketing (FCCM) is set to take place over the rave-cum-dance party ‘This is Lahore,’ featuring internationally reknowned DJs ‘Ministry of Sound,’ due to take place on Saturday (today) in Kasur.
Pakistan Today has learnt that, under the garb of a charity event to raise funds to purchase hospital equipment, FCCM is organising what is set to be a 12-hour dance party. Given the fact that FCCM has not attained No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Punjab Excise Department (PETD), the excise and taxation department has vowed to raid the party.
Well-placed PETD sources said the organizers moved the event to Kasur district instead of Lahore to avoid Entertainment Tax, set at 65% of the entry ticket. FCCM is charging Rs 6,500 per couple to enter the party. According to entertainment act 158 Section 10, the organising team is liable to pay the government 65% of the entry ticket charged at the venue. Any event which has an entry ticket is legally bound to pay tax on the event on the set rate.
‘They told me it was a charity event’: Speaking to Pakistan Today, DCO Kasur Ehsan Waheed said the FCCM team had told him they were organising a private get together to raise funds to purchase hospital equipment. “Yes, some boys asked me for an NOC for the event. They told me it was fund raiser. I was not told the real nature of the event,” Ehsan said.
On the contrary, sources said that ‘This is Lahore’ is a mega event featuring international DJ Sander Kleinenberg, invited to play to a 12-hour marathon dance procession in a farmhouse in the suburbs of Kasur. Other than Kleinenberg, local DJs are set to perform at the event. The event has been heavily advertised over the internet, mainly Facebook, and a large number of attendees is expected.
The Facebook page, “Ministry of Sound: This is Lahore!” reads: “FCCM gives to you for the third time in PAKISTAN, Ministry of Sound: This is Lahore! The world’s biggest dance brand, Ministry of Sound, resonates through Lahore now for the third time after the raging success of its previous triumphs in the city kicking off the Ministry of Sound World Tour 2012 FCCM teaches Lahore to party it up during the day; bid farewell to the sun and salute the stars as Global Headliner Sander Kleinenberg sets Lahore alight with his massive beats.” While the party venue has only been disclosed to ticket buyers, PETD sources said the event management has chosen two venues in district Kasur.
All set to kick off: Meanwhile, organisers are all set to kick off the event. Speaking to Pakistan Today, ‘This is Lahore’ project manager Abduallah said the event was not public and they had obtained permission from DCO Kasur. Asked if they were paying entertainment tax, Abdullah said it was confidential information which he could not reveal. “I can confirm the ticket costs Rs 6,500 and the party venue shall only be disclosed to ticket holders”, he said.
As organisers gear up for the party, PETD Regional Director Muhammad Asif vowed to ‘take down’ the party organisers if the party goes ahead. “We are watching them closely. If the party starts, the PETD is determined close it down at any cost”, said Asif. Answering a question, he said organisers have not obtained the required NOC and shall be penalized in this regard. “There are rules of doing everything and those who break the rules will be punished,” he added.