PESHAWAR: A private donor distributed cash among 140 poor artists and musicians, mostly Afghans, here on Monday.

A function to this effect was held at a local studio under the auspices of Hunari Tolana Welfare Society.

Ahmad Gul Ustad, a senior Pashto folk artist, chaired the function. An amount Rs700, 000 was disturbed to 140 needy artists and musicians, mostly Afghans, who had arrived in Peshawar after Taliban took over Kabul in August last year, so they could also enjoy the upcoming Eid with their families.

“It was not a big amount but a good gesture from a philanthropist,” said an Afghan folk artist.

On the occasion, Rashid Khan, a noted folk singer and president of Hunari Tolana Welfare Society, extended gratitude to the private donor for the financial support for the deserving families of artists and musicians.

He said it was responsibility of the KP culture department to provide security and financial assistance to poor artists for their survival.

Wagma Bibi, a noted Pashto folk singer, said the cash amount would at least help the families to buy some new clothes and edibles for their children for Eid.

Ustad Ahmad Gul said financial assistance should motivate the provincial government and well-off people to help the families of folk artists.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2022