PESHAWAR: The performing artists have demanded of the provincial government to fix monthly stipend for them so that they can feed their children with honour.

The artists established a protest camp on Sher Shah Suri Road here on Wednesday.

The artists including film stars, actors, singers and stage and film directors participated in the protest. Jameel Babar, Tariq Jamal, Nadiya Khan, Omar Gul, Sultan Hussain Baba Khan, Saleem Choto and Zar Mohammad shared their views on the occasion.

They said that owing to the prevailing situation, there was no opportunity for them to work part in dramas, movies and stage plays.

They said that such programes on Pakistan Television were also next to nil so the artists were rendered jobless.

`We were in a position to earn when we were young. We servedart and entertained people. Now no one, even the government, is ready to help us,` they said.

They said that performing art was the only source of their income. They said that their children would face starvation if they were not included in any drama of Pakistan Television or stage and CD play.

Nadia Khan, an artist, said on the occasion that she had no other source of income. She said that in the prevailing situation, her family was facing serious financial constraints. She demanded financial support and a residence, saying she was unable to afford the high rent of house.

Jameel Babar said that provincial government was not interested to extend support to them for mitigating their miseries. He said that artists were being compelled to start beggary. He said that it was shameful for the government to ignore artists.

Mr Babar urged government to award monthly stipend to artists otherwise they would face serious problems.