KARACHI, May 23: Ghazal maestro Mehdi Hasan, who returned from India a couple of days ago, said his convalescence is attributable to the prayers of the people of the subcontinent. Speaking at a news conference at the Arts Council on Monday, he said he hoped that the relations between Pakistan and India would improve as the peace talks gained momentum.

Mehdi Hasan, who broke into tears a few times during the conference, said that during his visit to India former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Dilip Kumar, Noshad, Amitabh Bachan, Lata and other public figures called on him and inquired after his health.

Mehdi Hasan’s son, Arif Mehdi, said a Mehdi Hasan Foundation had been set up in India which would help meet the medical expenses of ailing artists in the two neighbouring countries.

He said the first fund-raising event of the foundation would be held in Islamabad in August.

Sindh Culture Minister Shabbir Ahmad Qaimkhani assured Mehdi Hasan that the government would extend cooperation to the foundation. He added that the number of cultural delegations sent to India would be increased.