British forces hail 'Afghan Elvis' concert in Helmand

London, Nov 21 (ANI): A musical concert by the 'Afghan Elvis' has been hailed as proof of the improving security in Afghanistan by the British forces.

In one of the biggest musical events ever to take place in the country, pop star Farhad Darya performed in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province.

Around 5,000 Afghans were at the Karzai Stadium to watch Darya, a major celebrity across the Middle East.

Tickets were distributed free by the government and president Hamid Karzai was scheduled to attend the event, but was called away to the NATO summit in Lisbon.

A spokesman for British forces in Helmand said the concert "would never have taken place under the regime of the music-hating Taliban".

"This event is a glimpse of things to come in this area of Afghanistan. The ANP are taking on full responsibility for security and are doing a great job of it," the Daily Mail quoted Lieutenant Colonel Dougie Graham, commander of the British forces in Lashkar Gah, as saying.

Colonel Kamullahdin Shizri, police chief in the city, added, "The fact that such a big star considers the city safe enough to hold a concert here is proof that the police are performing well and continuing to provide security for the people." (ANI)