PESHAWAR, Oct 22: Famous Pashto folk singer and President's Pride of Performance award winner Zarsanga has gone bitter as she has been displaced first by growing extremism in her home district Bannu and later by devastating floods, but still waits for the day when she will have her own house.

Sitting on the lawn of Qayyum Stadium, frail-looking Zarsanga was wondering if the entire wait for the media brigade to arrive to cover the ceremony of handing over of Rs200,000 cheque to her was worth something.

When the wait was over, provincial minister for culture Syed Aqil Shah presented her the cheque on behalf of Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti. Mr Shah recalled that he had earlier visited Zarsanga while she was in a camp of flood-affected people to give her Rs100,000 assistance.

“There were two sacks full of awards and certificates of appreciation given to her by different organisations for her excellent performance lying there in the camp, but all this was useless for her when she had nothing to sustain herself and her family,” the minister said while narrating the ordeal of Zarsanga.

Mr Shah said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had set up a culture directorate to look after deserving artists and promote cultural activities in the province. He said that the government had increased the number of such persons from 25 to 50 who would get financial assistance annually.

Earlier, 25 artists used to get Rs72,000 a year, but now 50 artists would be given financial assistance of Rs40,000 twice a year, he announced.

The minister said that Zarsanga along with her six sons, who play folk music, would perform in Nishtar Hall at an evening show dedicated to her. He said that people could help her through their donations on this occasion. He also called upon the federal government to help such homeless artists and provide a house to Zarsanga.

“After a private electronic channel aired Zarsanga's ordeal, a charity organisation had announced to provide a house to her, but the promise is yet to materialise,” the minister said.

Zarsanga thanked the provincial government for its assistance, but urged the government to ensure provision of a house to her family.

Talking to Dawn after the ceremony, the folk singer, whose real name is Jaleebi, said that she reached Matani area on the outskirts of Peshawar after she left her hometown Sirai Naurang in Bannu district and then Hangu district due to insecurity following warnings from militants. However, Zarsanga said that she continued bringing a good name for Pakistan through her songs for the last 20 years, including performances abroad.

She said that the government of France and Afghanistan appreciated her talent, but unfortunately the conditions in her homeland had made life difficult for her. Zarsanga said that she did not feel like singing when she saw so much of misery and problems all around her.

Yet, when asked whether she would like to migrate to any other country if offered she said 'No', adding smilingly 'there is no place like home'.