Minister for Culture and Tourism Sindh Sharmila Faruqui on Monday distributed Endowment Fund cheques among 62 needy artists and writers of Sindh, out of total 141, at Mumtaz Mirza studio.
Addressing the ceremony, Faruqui said that the legendry artists and writers are our precious assets. “They promote the softer image of Pakistan around the world and they are our identity besides being opinion makers of society,” She said.
“It is our duty to support and take care of them in their hard time, and PPP government always performed this duty efficiently,” she added.
Earlier this month, the Board of Endowment Fund scrutinised applications received by Culture Department from needy and poor artists, writers and poets from all over Sindh. According to official statistics, a total of 250 applications of artists and poets were received at the Culture Department from Sindh, out of which 141 were approved. A total Rs 6.870 million would be distributed among the 141 beneficiaries selected in 14th meeting of Board.
She said that she and her committee members were trying their level best to utilise this fund correctly and transparently.
She informed that those artists who are unable to reach Karachi to receive cheques due to an illness or some other cause need not worry as their cheques will be delivered to their home towns.
Secretary Culture and Tourism Department Niaz Abbasi, DG Culture Manzoor Kanasro and member Endowment Fund committee Haseena Moin also attended the ceremony.
Later, cheques were distributed among artistes including Muhammad Ibrahim, Mirza Shahi, Ghafoor Gull, Muhammad Rafeeq, Sehar Hassan, Muhammad Sumar, Ali Muhammad Baloch Alias Ali Baba, Rubuna Haideri, Aamina Lkaho, Khadim Hussain, Fareed Khan and Wahid Raza.