It's heartening to know that the Punjab government has set up an Artistes Support Fund with the explicit objective to provide financial help for the welfare and support of the families of the artistes, who laid down their lives while performing their professional duties. According to media reports, a sum of Rs 50 million has been earmarked for providing financial assistance to such families.
In our neighbouring India, many proactive steps have been taken to provide aid and support to the Artistes in need. However, artistes' welfare was continuously neglected in the past here. This step by the Punjab Government seems very good and should therefore be welcomed as artistes, writers and poets usually spend a Spartan lifestyle due to lack of economic support to their intellectual work and die in poverty.
It is regretted to note that the attitude of the civil society and the government bodies towards these intellectual assets of society remain very pathetic and we usually do not pay them in economic terms. Due to this, our artistes die unsung and in poor conditions. Recently, Murtaza Hassan, better known as Mastana and Babbu Baraal died in abject poverty in their native districts.
It is very painful to see that past artistes such as Romana, Nimmi, Zakir Ali Khan, Sudhir, Mazhar Shah, Pervaiz Mehdi, Roohi Bano, Jaggi Malik and Adeeb suffered a lot in their later years of life. It is very reprehensible that a few days prior to her death actress Romana was seen begging in the streets of Lahore and at main railway station, as she had no source of income to eat and live. She reportedly died of starvation.
Due to lack of societal support, artistes do not earn much during their working life in Pakistan. By the time old age sets in, they have little in savings and almost nothing to fall back upon in terms of social safety net or comprehensive health insurance.
It is hoped that this fund will give necessary financial support to the Artistes in need. It is expected that medical facility will also be arranged for them. It is further expected that besides Lahore-based artistes, inhabitants from regional and remote areas will not be neglected in this regard.
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