Yasir Hussain, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Ayesha Omar and Sabeeka Imam have stepped forward and raised their voice for veteran actress Naila Jaffery, who is currently battling ovarian cancer.
“TV walo yeh aap ki hi aik sathi adakara hain. Aur yeh apna haq mang rahi hain. imdad nahi,” wrote Yasir Hussain on social media.
The actor further said: “Fellow actor Naila Jaffery ki halat dekhny k baad bhi hum kehty hain k hamen khuda ka khouf hai aur hum aakharat se darty hain.”
“Ramzan main chanda aur signal pai bheek dene se kuch nahi ho ga. Hamen haq dena ho ga,” he added.
“It’s really time to take a stand on this,” said Mikaal sharing Yasir’s story. It is pertinent to add here that the Durre Shehwar actor has previously also demanded TV channels to pay actors for reruns.
Voicing her support, Ayesha Omar said: “Heartbreaking to see yet another senior actor and someone who has given so much to our industry suffering and reminding the government/industry giants about their due rights.”
Omar further added: “She’s absolutely right. Senior actors, especially those who don’t have family support and are undergoing long term treatments should be given royalties and financial support, if not all.
Sharing the video of Jaffri’s appeal, Sabeeka Imam wrote: “This is so heartbreaking.”
“I have worked with her and she is the sweetest person. Dear channel owners, please have it in your hearts to at least give her what she’s due,” said the model, adding: “I am certain Allah will reward you with more! Love you Naila Jee.”
Ushna Shah also took to her twitter and said: “Royalties are meant to feed artists for life but in PK we are heartbreakingly forsaken. #NailaJafri shouldn’t have had to publicly request for what is hers on her cancer bed. Many artists have relied on the kindness of samaritan fans once their distress was made public.”
In another tweet, she wrote: “Artists deserve a royalties for their art, a retirement plan, a union, an insurance for difficult times, a dignified pension, like every other hardworking person on this planet.”
In her appeal video, Naila had requested for compensation of her re-broadcasted dramas on PTV.
“For the last six years, I [have been tied to] hospitals, as well as illness and cancer,” said the veteran actor. “I have also not had my second round of chemo either because of persistent infection and during this time I wondered: ‘What if the government lends a hand in this? What if they set up some policies for older people from the arts and sports sector?’.”
She further said: “When I initially joined PTV, I would get royalties for re-run shows and while that amount was nowhere near enough, it was still something and I liked having a stream of disposable income on the side.”
“I have been confined to a hospital bed for six years now and while everyone has supported me, loved me, helped me, and motivated me I wish there was some way to gain royalties on some of my last re-run plays,” said the actor. “Though I understand that it might not look like a lot to many people, for people like me who stopped working years ago, this support becomes important.”
“I request and demand that something is done for senior artists in the future since it’s become harder and harder for us to manage,” requested Naila.
Later in the day, Yasir shared that someone reached out to him in order to the help the veteran actor.
“Zindagi mai pehli bar laga hai k social media ka kuch faida hai,” said Yasir. “Naila Jaffery jee k baray mai meri Insta story dekh k aik farishty ki call aai and now they are connected.”
“Alhamdulillah is mulk main bohot achy log bhi hain,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Sindh Government has announced that they will bear all medical expenses of the actor.
As per details, Sindh Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities Sardar Ali Shah, in a statement, said that his department would bear all treatment expenses of Jaffery.
Sardar Shah on Twitter announced that his department would bear all treatment expenses of Naila Jaffery. He said in his tweet: “Culture department will happily bear all her expenses .. can anyone share her contact number?
In another Instagram story, Yasir said: “Shukria un tamam logoon ka jinhoon ney yeah royalty ka system iss mulk sey khatam kia warna aaj koi bhi fankar yeah bat na kar raha hota.”
