Rs 500 million endowment fund set up for artists welfare: CM Naqvi

 Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said the Punjab caretaker cabinet has okayed setting up an Endowment Fund worth Rs 500 million for the welfare of artists, singers, writers, and others, reported the 12NewsHD TV channel.   

All people associated with art will benefit from the endowment fund and soon the money will be released for the fund, he added while talking to a delegation of artists who called on the Chief Minister here on Tuesday.

Mohsin Naqvi listened to the problems of the artists patiently and gave them assurance for the redressal of their miseries.

Mohsin acknowledged that there is no pension for an artist, even in old age he works hard.

We want the welfare of artists and writers, he said adding, we will review their workable recommendations.

He continued artists and singers represent the country internationally. Mohsin Naqvi also assured that work is being done to improve the quality of stage plays. He hinted that the government is also working for the welfare of showbiz journalists along with the artists. “Drama, the film industry, and artists are all very important to us, Mohsin Naqvi remarked.

He told that gathering stage drama was banned due to obscene videos. “Our aim is not to harm the drama industry, but to reform it.”

He informed the artists that the Punjab government is preparing SOPs regarding stage plays.

The delegation thanked Mohsin Naqvi, provincial minister Aamir Mir, and other ministers for establishing an endowment of Rs 50 crore.

The delegation of artists included Resham, Aurangzeb Leghari, Rashid Mehmood, Kaleem Pervaiz, Shahzad Rafiq, Hasan Murad, Iftikhar Thakur, Gushi Khan, Arif Lohar, Waris Baig, Tarnam Naz, Ayub Khawar, Nasir Adib, Naeem Tahir, Javed Rizvi, Ruhi. Khan, Parvaiz Raza, Zulfiqar Ali and others.

 

Reporter: Saud Butt