NOWSHERA: Noted Pashto folk singer Zarsanga, who was injured in an attack on her family on Saturday, has threatened to shift to Afghanistan or any other country if government fails to provide justice to her.

“I served the Pashto language and Pakhtuns thorough signing at different forums but now unfortunately I am wandering here and there to get my basic human rights,” she told a public gathering organised by Aman Jirga against the practice of usury here on Tuesday.

The folk vocalist was wounded in an attack on her family members, who had borrowed money on interest from some people in Nowshera.

The payment deal led to a dispute between the two parties.

Aman Jirga chairman Syed Kamal Shah Bacha, general secretary Arshad Manan Yousafzai, JUI-S leader Maulana Hamidul Haq and others were also present on the occasion.

Zarsanga said that she received awards in different countries like the USA, United Kingdom and France and promoted Pashtu language but then she was compelled to live on roads at the age of 74. She said that she refused to live abroad as she loved Pakistan. “But now situation is critical,” she added.

The folk singer said that she repaid Rs1.1 million against the Rs400,000 loan she received on the basis of interest. “The demand to pay more and more is unacceptable and now they want to lock my home,” she added.

Syed Kamal Shah demanded of the provincial government to take stern action against the suspects otherwise they would come again to Nowshera and would not go back till Zarsanga’s problems were resolved.

He said that no one could dare to expel Zarsanga from her home. “Zarsanga is daughter of the nation and no one would be allowed to threaten her,” he said.

Mr Shah said that the practice of lending money on high interest rate was on the rise in Nowshera as different cases of the illegal practice were reported. He criticised Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and Provincial Minister Mian Jamshedud Din for taking steps to end interest-based business in Nowshera.

Mr Shah said that several such cases were reported from Akora Khattak, Nowshera Cantonment, Azakhel, Bahader Baba and Ziarat Kaka Sahib but the chief minister had turned a blind eye towards it.

Maulana Hamidul Haq said on the occasion that interest was totally anti-Islam practice but unfortunately it was common in the province. He urged the people to stand up against such practices to end the menace once for all.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2017