Page 29 - Pakistan Link - September 25, 2020

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Singer-songwriter and one-half of the band Strings, Bilal Maqsood in a recent video
on social media urged the government to improve the infrastructure for the music
industry. Referring to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s most recent go-ahead for the
revival of the film industry, Maqsood asked for a similar attitude to be adopted
towards the music industry.

“What is there for the musician in this country? What kind of value to we hold in
the social culture fabric of the country? Do we even hold any value? Since the general
perception is that we are doing something despicable. If the government agrees with this
perception then let us know. If it doesn’t agree, which I am sure of, since Imran Khan’s
mindset I don’t think is like that,” Maqsood said in the video.

Maqsood talked about how crucial a change in the general perception is for the sur-
vival of “Make platforms that change the mindset of the public and musicians don’t have
to work under fear. We have to face hostility everywhere, be it on social media or our
concerts. If the same mindset keeps on prevailing, very soon music would be completely
gone from the country,” the Mera Bichda Yaar shared.

Adding on, the guitarist expressed his disappointment over how the government went
about it’s relief initiative for artists when the Covid-19 pandemic took flight. “I was sad-
dened to see that the form asked the artists to list the number of awards, concerts, and song
they have to their name, on the basis of which they could request the government for Rs
25,000 - 50,0000. If the government thinks that it’s doing a great service then I am sorry
this is just a shortcut,” he said.

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