ISLAMABAD AUGUST 26,(DNA)-  President Dr. Arif Alvi said on Monday underlined the need of accurate data base of deserving and needy artists to ensure disbursement of funds in a transparent manner.

He made these remarks while chairing the 9th Steering Committee for Federal Government Artists’ Welfare Fund at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad.

The President said that the basic purpose of this fund was to provide financial support to the needy artists.

The President further said that artists being the invaluable part of the society had rendered enormous services for the promotion of art and soft image of the country. Therefore, it is our responsibility to look after them at the time of need, he added.

Federal Government Artists’ Welfare Fund was created in 2011 with seed money of Rs 200 million.

Objectives of the creation of this Fund were to provide financial help to the Artists or their families in the following circumstances:- a) When an artist is in impoverished condition and needs financial support, b) During the period, when an artist is inactive due to told age, health condition, or otherwise handicapped from accident or disease, c) After the death of an artist, financial support to his/her family.

He thanked all the members of the committee and philanthropists for their participation and efforts in this noble cause of resolving the issues of the artists. Private members of the Committee Dr. Ali Jan, Misbah Khalid, Khalid Anam, Adeel Hashmi,  Atif Aslam, Roshan Khursheed Bharucha, and Abaseen Yousafzai were also present.=DNA

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