LAHORE: Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) candidate for PP-150 Lahore Jabran Butt has sent a legal notice to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate for PP-189 Okara Rao Ali Jabran Bhopal for allegedly using an anthem of the candidate, which includes the first name – Jabran as part of the lyrics, without his permission, local media has reported.
In the notice sent to the PTI candidate, Butt’s lawyer alleges that the election anthem was stolen and used by Jabran Bhopal for his own campaign. The notice demands an unconditional apology as well as damages worth Rs20 million. The notice further said legal action would be initiated if the demands were not met within 10 days of the receipt of the notice.
Speaking to media outlets, Butt said that the anthem was created for his campaign and was meant to be played at election camps and offices to motivate his workers. He said that the anthem was written and composed by Salah ud Din Farooqui and sung by Asad Qureshi.
“It is inappropriate to use someone else’s property without permission. If he had asked us to use the anthem, we might have given permission but it is highly inappropriate to use someone’s hard work without seeking permission first,” Butt commented.
Butt said that he came to know about the ‘theft’ through social media. He said that he had fulfilled his legal obligation by sending a legal notice and would further pursue the matter.
Singer Asad Qureshi revealed that the song was written on June 10, recorded on June 12 and released on June 14.
“On June 20, they [PTI candidate] used our track with another video. We gathered the data with screenshots and sent the legal notice,” he said. He added that it was the artists’ property and it should not be used in such as way without permission.