LAHORE: Folk singer Shaukat Ali has requested the Punjab government to provide him financial assistance for his treatment.

Shaukat Ali’s son Imran Shaukat told Dawn that his father was critically ill.

He was suffering from severe liver and heart problems.

“My father remained admitted to the Services Hospital for seven days and later he was treated for two days at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology,” said Imran who added that his father had been bed-ridden since November last.

He said he had sent applications of financial assistance on behalf of his father to all cultural institutes and the Information and Culture Department but there was no response.

The PTI government last year gave a financial aid of Rs250,000 for his father, he said.

He said owing to Covid-19 pandemic, there had been no cultural activities. He himself is a singer but in the current times there are no cultural activities and shows.

“My father is a 1991 Pride of Performance and his services for this country as a folk singer cannot be forgotten. I appeal to the chief minister and the cultural institutions to provide financial assistance for my father who is battling for his life,” said Imran.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2020