LAHORE: The organisers of the 13th Mystic Music Sufi Festival have pledged to go ahead with the programme despite withdrawal of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the government.

The Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop is organising the event in which performers from Syria and Iran are also participating.

Usman Pirzada told a press conference on Friday the department concerned issued an NOC to the festival management but withdrew it within hours on the plea that the file moved for the festival was incomplete. He said last year too, they managed to have the certificate after seeking CM`s intervention.

Flanked by Saadan Pirzada and Alina Pirzada, Usman said: `We appeal to the chief minister to look into the issue and spare the festival organisers the agony of obtaining the NOC.

He said the festival was being held in collaboration with the Lahore Arts Council, a state-run institution, but still an NOC was needed.

`How ironic it is that the governorhasconsentedtobe the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the festival but there is no NOC. We shall hold the festival at any cost,` he said.Saadan Pirzada said once the festival was over, they would lead a countrywide protest campaign for the rights of the artistes and take up the issue of NOC for cultural events.

Sharing the details of the festival, they said the two-day event would kick off at the Alhamra Cultural Complex, Qadhafi Stadium, on Saturda.

The Norwegian Embassy is also collaborating on the event.

This year, two international groups are participating. Theleela Group from Syria will come up with whirling dervish performance and Iran`s artistes will recite from the poetry of Hafiz Sheerazi.

Launchedin 2000,thefestival has attracted participants from more than 22 Muslim countries in the past.

`We believe Sufi music is an effective tool to bring revolutionary change in society, both socially and ethically,` said Saadan.

The festival began in Islamabad on Dec 4. The likely performers in Lahore are Salman Amjad Ali, Wahdat Rameez, Bazme-i-Liga, Zarsanga, Sain Zahoor, Theleela Whirling Dervish, Akhtar Chinar Zehri, Niazi Brothers, Wahab Shah, Alireza Gorbani, Shah Jo Raag/Wahab Shah, Areeb Azhar, Krishan Lal Bheel, Goonga Mithu Sain, Imran Aziz Mian Qawals, Ejaz Sher Ali, Pappu Sain Dholiar and Rizwan Muazzam.