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Reference in memory of Jamil Bismil: Artistes demand facilities equal to govt employees

Staff Report

LAHORE: Film, TV and stage artistes have asked the government to take steps for their welfare and provide them medical and residential facilities equal to government employees.

At a reference meeting held in memory of Jamil Bismil, a noted stage, TV and film actor, on Monday, the artistes put forward their demands through a resolution. The resolution demanded scholarships, free medical treatment, quota in housing schemes, educational institutions, concessions in travelling fair, and a separate ministry for artistes.

Jamil Fakhari said that Bismil led an independent life. “I never saw him begging even in the worst financial crisis,” he said, adding that the government did nothing for Bismal. He said that all governments remained insensitive to the problems of artistes. He said the Ministry for Culture made no efforts for the welfare of artistes.

Fakhar Zaman, who presided over the reference, said that art institutions should be run by artistes and not by bureaucrats. He said bureaucrats had no sympathies with artistes. He paid rich tribute to Bismil.

Renowned artiste Muhammad Kavi Khan said that artistes needed reorganisation, which was not possible without interaction between junior and senior artistes. Every time an artiste dies, a reference is held in his memory and later people forget him, Kavi said. He asked his colleagues to collect Rs 100,000 for the bereaved family. Bismil’s son asked the government to name an Alhamra Art Centre hall after his father.

TV artiste Asim Bokhari said Bismil had developed a heart problem but nobody went to say hello to him, but now artistes have gathered to pay tribute to him. It’s a hypocritical attitude, he said. Irfan Khusat, a celebrated TV artiste, appealed to artistes to unite and form a forum to raise their voice.

Pervaiz Mehdi, Shaukat Ali, Mustafa Qureshi, Saleem Chishti, Sheeba Butt and Asim Bokhari also addressed the reference, arranged by Yadein, a non-government organisation.

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