PESHAWAR: Legendary Pashto folk artist Suriyya Khanum popularly known as Mahjabeen Qazalbash was admitted to Lady Reading Hospital here on Tuesday night after she suffered heart problem, family sources and doctors confirmed.

Family members of the noted artist have appealed to fans and well-wishers for prayers for her speedy recovery and better health.

According to family sources, the senior artist was brought to emergency care unit late on Tuesday night but was shifted to the cardiac care unit.

The doctors on duty told Dawn that condition of Mahjabeen was getting better as treatment was being provided to her.

Artists, music buffs and fans rushed to the LRH intensive care unit to enquire after the senior folk singer.

Mahjabeen Qazalbash being a recipient of numerous awards, including President’s Pride of Performance, remained quite active and would never miss out cultural events except for a period during the 80s when her husband died and she devoted much of her time to upbringing and education of her own children.

Ms Qazalbash enjoys a large fan following owing to her velvety voice and talent as she has sung tracks in Urdu, Punjabi, Seraiki, Hindko, Persian, Turkish and Pashto. She also worked in Pashto plays but focused mainly on her singing.

Noted folk singer and chief of Hunari Tolana Rashid Khan told this scribe that he on behalf of the artists’ community visited the hospital and enquired after Ms Qazalbash on Wednesday evening.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2020