MUZAFFARGARH, April 25: Iqbal Pathaney Khan braves a scorching day going about from one office to another, one person to another, to give cards for the April 28 death anniversary of his father Pathaney Khan.

Iqbal Pathaney Khan has arranged a folk music programme in his home town, Kot Addu, in which local singers will sing kafis and song of Pathaney Khan to pay homage to the great Seraiki singer.

“This time at the music function, I will announce a date for auction of the awards because my family is facing poverty and we never know what we will eat tomorrow.”

“A few people give me some money for the programme and think they are giving me a charity,” Iqbal told Dawn in an exclusive interview.

“I never demand any money from the fans of Pathaney Khan. This is what I have learned from my father.

“Actually my father died a pauper and left nothing for his four sons and three daughters except this six-marla house, fame as 79 awards.”

“Every year I hold kafi programme to mark his death anniversary, but no MNA, MPA, senator or senior bureaucrat has ever attended the programme,” the son laments.

Iqbal accused the PTV and Radio Pakistan of doling out laughable sums to his father. He had harsh words for firms marketing CDs and cassettes as well.

The awards include the Pride of Performance President Award (1979), PTV Millennium Award, Khawaja Ghulam Farid Award, Rohi Award, Thal Award, etc.

But the singer’s son finds them of no use.