Industry insiders rejoice after Senate passes resolution guaranteeing artist royalties

Actors, directors took to Twitter to laud Senator Faisal Javed Khan’s efforts

After introducing the resolution guaranteeing royalties for artists in parliament, Senator Faisal Javed Khan recently took to Twitter to announce that it had been passed unanimously by the Senate. Khan, Chairman Standing Committee on Info and Broadcasting, wrote in a tweet alongside an article announcing his intention of introducing the resolution, “Congratulations, as the resolution has been passed by the Senate Pakistan unanimously today. Appreciate the support from all the members of the house.” He added a hashtag that read “Royalties for artists” as well. 

Congratulations as the resolution has been passed by the @SenatePakistan unanimously today. Appreciate the support from all the members of the house. #RoyaltiesForArtists https://t.co/VuP00p0wHC

— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) January 17, 2022

Several industry members took to Twitter to laud Khan’s efforts and congratulate fellow artists. Actor Humayun Saeed tweeted, “Congratulations to TV/Film fraternity. Senate Pakistan has unanimously passed [a] resolution with the objective to empower [the] Copyright Board to fix royalties for licensing and assignment of work and ensure payments to artists. Thank you, members of the house.”

Congratulations to TV/Film fraternity @SenatePakistan has unanimously passed resolution with the objective to empower Copyright Board to fix royalties for licensing and assignment of work and ensure payments to artists. Thank u members of the house #RoyaltiesForArtists pic.twitter.com/S1O57FFuyg

— Humayun Saeed (@iamhumayunsaeed) January 17, 2022

Rocker Salman Ahmad also tweeted out a celebratory message while urging for more work to be done for the betterment of artists in the country. He wrote, “More power to you, Faisal Javed Khan, for raising a crucial arts and culture concern for reform. More needs to be done, especially due to the devastating effects of Covid-19 on artists in Pakistan.”

More power to you @FaisalJavedKhan for raising a crucial arts & culture concern for reform. More needs to be done , especially due to the devastating effects of #COVID19 on #Artists in 🇵🇰 https://t.co/WJ6cQJevmO

— salman ahmad (@sufisal) January 17, 2022

 Actor and director Omair Rana posted, “This could be a true paradigm shift, a game-changer and a massive boost to the culture-related industries! I have yet to believe it. It's such great news!”

This could be a true paradigm shift, a gae changer and a massive boost to the Culture-Related industries! I have yet to BELIEVE it. It's such a great news! #RoyalrtiesForArtists https://t.co/smGLP90Rnk

— Omair Rana (@omairana) January 17, 2022

Actor Adnan Siddiqui echoed the statement, writing, “Finally! It was due [for] a long time. Our artists deserve security and due recognition of their work.”

Finally! It was due since a long time. Our artists deserve security and due recognition of their work. #RoyaltyBill

— Adnan Siddiqui (@adnanactor) January 17, 2022

Writer and comedian Vasay Chaudhry took to Twitter to share, “Brilliant effort Faisal Javed Khan. Thank you and best of luck for the second step.” Actor Imran Ashraf also retweeted Khan’s announcement, writing, “This is big,” alongside it. 

BRILLIANT effort @FaisalJavedKhan Thank YOU and Best of luck for the Second and Step.#RoyaltiesForartists https://t.co/ceFtttmxcG

— vasay chaudhry (@vasaych) January 17, 2022

In April 2021, after veteran actor Naila Jaffery’s video on the matter went viral, many raised the issue of royalties, which are inadvertently denied to the artists who make the productions – which have multiple reruns – a hit.

After several actors raised their voices following Jaffery’s grief, Khan took to Twitter and shed light on the same. Writing on the micro-blogging site, he announced, "Most countries around the world give royalties/residuals to artists every time a show, their work, is re-run, a second time or more. However, sadly in Pakistan, where many artists are already underpaid, there is no policy or law ensuring that artists be given financial credit for their work.”

Khan revealed that he is in the process of building a framework with the stakeholders, to come up with a bill that will ensure artists are paid their due royalties. "Therefore, it is very critical to fill the gaps and bring proper framework via amendments in legislation to ensure that our producers, artists get the rights to royalties. I am in touch with all stakeholders and IA a comprehensive bill is being brought soon to address this very important issue," he added.