PESHAWAR, April 19: Singers at a function titled “An evening with PTV artiste, Shaista Jabeen,” presented fascinating songs here at a local hotel.

The function was arranged by Sarhad Arts Society to pay tribute to a senior and versatile PTV artiste Shaista Jabeen for her outstanding performance in a drama serial “Aaghosh”. Though, she has many memorable roles to her credit she came to limelight through “Aaghosh” which was telecast from Lahore.

Many prominent figures from showbiz attended the function.

On the occasion, some speakers also criticised the PTV producers for their role for misrepresenting the local culture through the programmes. They also spoke about their attitude towards the local actors and artistes.

Shaista Jabeen in her speech set aside  the impression that Pakhtoon artistes were being sidelined and said that many NWFP-based talented artistes had groomed over the years and proved their mettle on national as well as international circuit. She said all the artistes had tremendous respect among the PTV audience despite the fact that they belonged to different parts of the country.

Local singers, including Ghulam Abbas, Gul Dhervi, Rabia Tabbasum and Asghar Ali sang their popular numbers drawing applause from the audience. Rabia sang some of the late Noor Jehan’s songs. Folk singer Gul Dhervi was the pick of the function for his spicy performance.