It’s heartening to know that the Punjab government has, at last, set up an Artistes Support Fund with the explicit objective to provide financial help for the welfare and support of the families of the artists. According to media reports, a sum of Rs 50 million has been earmarked for providing financial assistance to such families. It is regrettable to note that the attitude of the civil society and the government towards these intellectual assets of the society remains pathetic and we usually do not pay them enough in economic terms.
Recently, Murtaza Hassan, better known as Mastana and Babbu Baraal died in abject poverty in their native districts. It is very painful to see that past actors Romana, Nimmi, Zakir Ali Khan, Sudhir, Mazhar Shah, Pervaiz Mehdi, Roohi Bano, Jaggi Malik and Adeeb suffered a lot in their later years of life. It is very reprehensible that a few days prior to her death actress Romana was seen begging in the streets of Lahore and at main Railway Station as she had no source of income to eat and live.
Due to lack of societal support, artists do not earn much during their working life in Pakistan. By the time old age sets in, they have little in savings and almost nothing to fall back on in terms of social safety net or comprehensive health insurance. It is hoped that this Fund will give necessary financial support to the artistes in need. It is expected that medical facility will also be arranged for them and that this facility will be offered to artistes in other parts of the country as well.
QUDRAT ULLAH
Lahore