Daily Times

PESHAWAR: Artists and performers gathered in Peshawar to raise voice for their due rights and also vowed to use the art of music for addressing social issues. The Music Welfare Society (MWS) conducted the event at a local music market in Nishatarabad Peshawar, here on Monday.

The participants passed a resolution unanimously demanding of the KP government to probe the massive alleged misappropriation of funds in the Hunar Mela recently held under the auspices of the Tourism Cooperation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) in Peshawar.

Rashid Khan said that the concerned authorities should look into the matter so that the rights of local artists could be safeguarded. in Peshawar. Young singer, Rashid Khan alleged that local artists had been ignored and singers from Punjab had been invited for performance.

Fitrat Buneri, a noted young Pashto poet said that Pashto art of music was limited only to those who had hailing from music families but well qualified singers.

The artists pledged that artists and singers would arrange music shows to raise funds for welfare of the poor artists and their children’s education and healthcare. They said that artists could use their talent for educating youth to keep away themselves from involving in anti-social activities.

Zahir Shah, chief of the Music Welfare Society said that he along with his artist- colleagues had founded the MWS for the welfare of the artists and singers. He said that now many artists were in poor condition and needed our help.

Sarfaraz Khan, a noted young Pashto singer said that the art of music could be utilized for peace education, environment awareness, and anti-drugs drive. He said that unfortunately, cultural activities including music shows were equated with spreading of immoral and unhealthy habits among youth. “We need to this change perception. We are against all kinds of obscenity, vulgarity immoral activities being done in the name of the art,”

Senior Pashto folk singer, Gul Sharaf ustad while chairing the event said that artists, performers and singers should get united for their rights and should contribute to the welfare of artist’ community . He regretted that services of the artists were not being recognized and general perception about the art and artists was always biased.

Waheed Achakzai in his remarks said that artist’s community should forge unity among their ranks .He said senior artists should come forward to make art a strong platform so that it could be used for positive things.

Walidad ustad said that artists being a peaceful community could only spread the message of love, peace and humanism.

Jahangir, senior vice -president of MWS, Ashraf Gular, Tariq Bacha, Inam, and Farhad also spoke at the gathering.