Veteran Actress Naila Jaffery has requested the federal government to assist her financially with her ongoing cancer treatment.
The heartthrob of Pakistani dramas for a couple of decades took to social media and asked the government to provide financial assistance for her cancer treatment. In the heart-wrenching video, Naila is seen on a hospital bed as she addresses the authorities.
“I have been bound with hospitals, as well as illness and cancer. I also have not had my second round of chemo either because of persistent infection and during this time I have 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?”
Naila was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 6 years ago and she has been under treatment ever since. She also appealed to the government to pay royalties for her re-run dramas as an act of support.
When I joined PTV, I would get royalties for re-run shows and while that amount was nowhere near enough, I still got something and liked having a stream of disposable income on the side.
Naila rose to fame with her classical performance in plays like Mujh ko Sulana, Desi Girls, and Thodi Si Khushiyan but had to quit acting in 2016 due to her illness. In her recent viral video, she explained her therapy condition and post-diagnosis financial situation. While she acknowledged everyone who has supported her and motivated her, she also shed light on the condition of senior and retired artists.
“While 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,” Naila requested.
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