LAHORE: The Punjab government has banned 132 songs from being performed at stage shows and theatre productions citing obscene and double-meaning lyrics a move that has sparked widespread debate on social media.

According to an official notification issued on January 23, the ban applies to both private and commercial events, with authorities directed to strictly enforce the decision.The government stated that the listed songs are unsuitable for public performances and violate existing regulations on stage and theatre conduct.

The inclusion of singer Malko’s popular song Nak Da Koka surprised many. Released in 2023 on YouTube, the song has enjoyed widespread popularity and had not previously been widely labeled as inappropriate. Social media users questioned how it qualified as obscene or double meaning.

The song has been linked to earlier controversies.In June 2024, Malko was reportedly offloaded from a London-bound flight due to issues related to the song while earlier this month qawwal Faraz Amjad Khan faced legal action for performing it in Lahore.

Information Minister Azma Bukhari defended the ban, saying the lyrics were too offensive to even reproduce in media reports and describing them as degrading to public taste.

Reactions online have been divided. While some users mocked the ban and questioned its criteria, others supported the move as necessary to protect public morals. Critics, however called for clearer guidelines and greater consistency,noting that several banned songs were previously featured in films and public events.