Bilal Maqsood objects to toxic paint on living statues

Strings alum Bilal Maqsood took to Instagram on Saturday to post a photo of a young living statue performer, calling attention to the hazards of the craft. Addressing the Health Ministry in his caption, Bilal wrote, "You'll find so many kids like this on Khayaban-e-Ittehad and Sea View - their faces painted with shiny silver or gold paint, performing on the streets in this heat."

In the photo posted by the singer, the child performer was dressed and painted head-to-toe in gold, sticking out a peace sign to pose for the capture. "What's heartbreaking is that the paint is often made from aluminum powder or lead-based chemicals, which are extremely harmful. Prolonged exposure, especially under the sun, can cause serious skin issues and even lead to skin cancer," Bilal continued.

"Something needs to be done. Please regulate this. Educate and protect these children before it's too late," he added. "Don't know who to tag. Any help would be appreciated."

As of late, living statue performers – especially children – have been cropping up all over Karachi along traffic signals and footpaths. Bilal's showbiz peers seem to realise this too, as some of them shared his note to their followers. Actors Ayeza Khan and Naveed Raza were among those who elevated the message on Instagram Stories.

Netizens in the comments section also validated the Sajni singer's plea. "I honestly have been thinking about this for so long! Finally somebody bought it up!" a user wrote, while another said, "Such a valuable share. We see them every day and just pass by. Thank you for using your platform to raise awareness. I hope the good voices are heard and these little ones are off the street Insha Allah."

Other users urged the authorities to act, given how rapidly the issue has been spreading. "Finally someone with a platform has brought this to light. The number of such poor and desperate children has increased in the twin cities as well. It is so concerning. They need to spread awareness and pass some sort of law to discourage acts that are so harmful to their health," one user wrote.

Bilal's post hardly comes as a surprise for those closely following his recent endeavour. Earlier this year, he parterned with ConnectHear to integrate Pakistan Sign Language interpretation into Pakkay Dost – his puppet show for kids.

He said in a statement, "Our mission is to bring joy, learning, and cultural enrichment, and create a brighter childhood for all children. This collaboration is a significant step towards making Pakkay Dost truly inclusive and ensuring that every child can experience the magic of our show."