PESHAWAR: The director of culture, Shama Naimat, enquired after health of ailing Pashto singer Mahjabeen Qazalbash, here on Monday at Lady Readying Hospital.

She, on the directives of Senior Provincial Minister Atif Khan, issued a cheque amounting to Rs500,000 and handed it over to Shahid Khan, son of Ms Qazalbash, who had earlier appealed to provincial government and philanthropists for financial assistance in addition to free medical treatment to his artist mother.

Since Ms Qazalbash hospitalisation last week, telephone calls and messages from within and abroad have been pouring in while her family members have appealed to audience and well wishers of the senior artist to pray for her speedy recovery and better health.

The senior minister has also directed the LRH officials to ensure free medical treatment to the senior artist and termed her the pride of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the country at large.

Announces free treatment for Mahjabeen Qazalbash

Mahjabeen Qazalbash was an asset and pride for KP, he added.

In a statement issued here on Monday, Mr Khan said that government was taking care of artists and was working on a number of projects to promote tourism, art and cultural activities in the province.

“Mahjabeen Qazalbash is our pride because of her tremendous services in the field of music. She is a great artist,” the statement said.

Shama Naimat paid a visit to LRH and enquired after the health of Ms Qazalbash, who was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday night following suffering heart complication.

She remained with the family members of the ailing singer and assured them of all possible assistance. Praising the contributions of Ms Qazalbash, she said that culture directorate had already launched projects for welfare of artists and promotion of literary and cultural activities.

Shahid Khan, son of Ms Qazalbash, told this scribe that being a low grade government employee, he was unable to afford further treatment of his mother. He said that his mother deserved government’s attention.

He said that he had pinned hopes on the doctors, who had been giving him assurance of trickling improvement in his mother’s condition.

“I am fully satisfied with the medical treatment and care being provided to my legendary mother. Doctors are doing their best to save the life of my mother, who has devoted her entire life to the art of singing,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2020