Usman Khan

PESHAWAR: Eminent Pashto singer Mahjabeen Qazalbash, who suffered heart attack three days ago, is still under treatment at the Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar (LRH) and her condition remains critical.

Doctors at the hospital say the condition of the veteran artist is still critical. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shaukat Yousafzai, provincial government spokesman Ajmal Wazir, eminent poet Abasin Yousafzai, international cricketer Shaheen Shah Afridi and many other people came to hospital to inquire after her health.

Doctors say Mahjabeen Qazalbash is admitted to Neurosurgical ICU and she is still on ventilator and under regular observation.

Shaukat Yousafzai has directed the staff of the LRH to provide best medical care to Mahjabeen Qazalbash. He said the veteran artist is an asset to the country and negligence in the treatment will never be tolerated.

Shahid Ali Orakzai, son of Mahjabeen Qazalbash, said while talking to TNN that the financial condition of his family is weak now and they cannot afford expensive treatment. He said he expects the government to help the family in the treatment of Mahjabeen Qazalbash. He said he was fully satisfied with the treatment of his mother at the LRH and doctors are very cooperative.

Meanwhile, members of the KP Broadcasters forum visited the LRH to inquire after Mahjabeen Qazalbash. The Forum general secretary Afsar Afghan said Mahjabeen Qazalbash served the Pashto literature in great way by singing sons of peace. She also sang songs in Persian and Hindko languages. The Forum members also presented a bouquet to the son of the veteran artist.

The Forum president Khaista Rehman said Mahjabeen Qazalbash is known as Bulbul-e-Sarhad for her unique style of singing. He said the family of the veteran singer is facing financial constraint and the government should help them in her quality treatment.

Mahjabeen was born in Peshawar in 1965 and grew up in the same city. Her family basically belonged to Herat province of Afghanistan. Her grandfather had shifted from Qandahar to Herat and her father migrated from Herat to Peshawar.

Mahjabeen Qazalbash suffered first heart attack in 2015 after which she did angiography and stents implant by Dr Adnan Gul. Family sources said Mahjabeen Qazalbash used to visit doctor regularly for checkup.