PESHAWAR: Noted Pashto folk singer Zarsanga Bibi has been forced to living in tent along with her over 200 family members as culture department has taken an official residence in Kohat district back from her almost three months ago.

The septetuangerian melody queen, Zarsanga Bibi, cried out for help but her voice this time around lost on the wilderness. She has demanded of the culture department to provide her with a humble residence so that she could live her last years of her life in peace, comfort and dignity.

Zarsanga Bibi said that the Covid-19 pandemic further pushed her family to extreme poverty as her poor financial condition forced her to beg. She and her sons have rented a shop in Kohat Bazaar where her over 2,500 awards, certificates and medals have been kept.

“I appeal to President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan to take notice of my miserable plight. I just want a piece of plot where I could feel proud that my contributions fetched me at least a state given shelter. I this stage and age have no other wish,” said Zarsanga.

She told this scribe that she had rejected offers from Afghanistan and several other countries. She said that Pakistan had been her identity and would live and die with it. She said that she would never leave Pakistan despite odd situation and pathetic attitude of the officials concerned.

“I have over 200 sons and daughters and grandchildren, all depended on me. The government had allotted me an official residence in Kohat for two years and on termination the stipulated time I and along with my extended family was forced to live once again these tattered tents in open air where we have to pay Rs15, 000 as rent to the owner of the land,” she said. Shahzada, the elder son of the living legend, said that his mother was suffering from chest infection and other multiple ailments and was forced to live in a tent.

He said that despite repeated appeals and requests, no responsible official responded to his family sufferings.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2021