F.P. Report
KARACHI: Sindh government has sanctioned Rs 40 million grant for medical treatment of legendary artist Umar Sharif and the ailing legend would soon be taken to the United States through an air ambulance for his treatment.
This was stated by Sindh Minister for Culture & Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Arts Council’s president Mohammad Ahmed Shah, Administrator Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab and Umer’s son Jawwad Umer in a press conference here.
They said that all documentation for the visa process have been completed, while Sindh Chief Minister himself spoke to the US Consulate General and an Air Ambulance has been arranged. Soon Umer Sharif would fly to the US for his treatment, they said.
Addressing the press conference, Sardar Shah said, we made all possible efforts to support our artists, but we did not want to hurt someone’s dignity by doing it publicly. “Umer Sharif is a living legend and an asset of this country, and there is no substitute for him. We are all concerned for his health and praying for his health” Sardar Shah added.
Syed Sardar Shah said, “We are in the process of issuing health cards to the artists who need financial support for their treatment; this health card will have a compensation amount of Rs 300,000 through which artists will be able to get medical cover from any hospital.”
President Arts Council Mohammad Ahmed Shah expressed gratitude to the Sindh government for supporting the artist community.
Jawwad Umer expressed gratitude to the Sindh government for bearing the expenses of Air Ambulance and for playing the important role in the process.
“I am really honored for the love and prayers we are receiving, I am not only Umer’s son but also his fan and I urge everyone, please do not share his pictures from the hospital because it’s really sad and painful to see him like this. We will try to keep updating the media about his treatment,” he said.
