KARACHI, May 1: Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad has directed the Sindh secretary for health to constitute a special fund for providing health facilities to noted artists, writers and prominent personalities.

This he stated on a visit to the residence of veteran film and TV artist Lehri here on Thursday.

The governor announced a payment of Rs2.5 million as an initial token grant for this special fund.

He inquired after the health of the elderly artist and announced a grant in aid of Rs500,000 for Lehri.

Ishratul Ibad expressed regrets that the senior artist was living a very poor life despite having served the people for 30 years.

He asked the provincial health secretary, Ashiq Hussain Memon, to take personal interest in the treatment of Lehri and have a close coordination with him in this regard.

The governor also directed that besides the provision of medical and other facilities, the veteran artist should be provided transport facilities for pick and drop at the hospital.

He lauded the services of Lehri and said he was an asset of the nation and his look after was the responsibility of the state.

Mr Ibad took notice of neglect of artists by the Sindh Culture Department and directed the chief secretary to take action in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Sindh governor visited various parts of the city and paid a surprise visit at Aziz Bhatti police station.

He went round the lockups and other parts of the police station.

The Sindh governor expressed his annoyance at the absence of a person, whose arrest was entered in the record of the police station.

He warned that such a practice should not be repeated, otherwise strict action would be taken against the person responsible.—APP