Aid over accolade: Actor Naushaba Khan willing to give up award for son’s treatment

Peshawar-based actor Naushaba Khan willing to give up Presidential Award in exchange for treatment of ailing son

PESHAWAR/ LAHORE: Naushaba Khan is a name that emerged on national television and radio back when it was rather rare for female artists from Swat and adjoining localities to come to showbiz. However, from the moment she stepped into the spotlight, Naushaba became a shining star. Her contributions to the entertainment industry earned her the prestigious Presidential Award. Today, years and years after her glory days, she is being forced to give up the biggest honour she has received to date, in a desperate attempt to provide her ailing son with the treatment he requires to survive kidney failure.

Shakil Khan, aged 29, is the actor’s only son and together, they are based in Peshawar. Since Naushaba’s husband passed away, she has been the sole breadwinner of the family. Once the proud owner of private properties and every luxury a woman could desire, Naushaba has been forced to sell everything of value that she possessed over the years, to bear the expenses of Shakil’s treatment – a whopping sum of Rs 60,000 per week for dialysis.

“It has been three years since my son was diagnosed with kidney disease,” she said. “He has been on dialysis for over a year now. I have had to give up my entire life’s savings and property to help him combat this ailment. I was once one of the most prominent names on national television and today, I am spending my days in a small rented house, facing poverty and hunger all alone at this age.” The actor moved to Peshawar for Shakil’s treatment, abandoning her hometown of Swat.



The story seems all too familiar: a veteran star in desperate time of need, requesting the support of the government and failing to get any attention. Similar stories have made headlines in the past, such as those of actors Majid Jahangir, Mastana and Ashraf Rahi. “I have knocked on every door. I’ve even sent applications to the prime minister but no one pays any heed,” lamented Naushaba. “I personally requested Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chief minister for assistance in this regard but have so far only received a cold shoulder. It seems that the only thing left for me to do now is to sit outside on the road and beg for help.”

The actor added that she does not want rewards or recognition for her work and is only concerned about her son’s well-being. “I am an old woman trying to make ends meet. I am not complaining for this is my fate, but I won’t deny the fact that I am tired now,” she said.

Naushaba began her showbiz journey from PTV Peshawar station. Despite receiving criticism from her community, the actor continued her work with the support of her family. She has worked in countless Urdu, Pashto and Hindko plays, earning immense respect and recognition on national level. Her most memorable performances include those for television plays Bisat, Zanjeerayn, Sarab Saye, Dhool and Monsoon, among others. From living in the lap of luxury, surrounded by fame and fortune, Naushaba is now in a state that can aptly be described as pitiful.

According to a K-P health department official, the provincial government is willing to support Naushaba. Requesting anonymity, he said, “But she must arrange for a [kidney] donor [by herself].”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 24^th, 2016.

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