Shakila Naz Ill, calls mount for government to fund treatment

PESHAWAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jun, 2026) Renowned Pashto folk singer Shakila Naz is undergoing treatment following complications from a recent spinal surgery, raising concerns within cultural and artistic circles.

Shakila Naz underwent a major back (spinal) operation last month. However, instead of recovery, her health reportedly deteriorated, and she remains under medical care.

Her condition has sparked widespread concern among members of the Pashto cultural community, who say she has dedicated her life to promoting Pashto language, music, and cultural heritage.

Family sources said her husband, Farooq Firaq, is personally attending to her care while also bearing significant medical expenses amid limited financial resources.

A cultural and welfare organization, Nave Zhwand Adabi, Cultural and Welfare Organization Islamabad, through its Chairman Nasim Mandokhel, has urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, particularly the Chief Minister and Culture Department, to take immediate notice of the situation and provide full financial assistance for her treatment.

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The organization said funds allocated for cultural promotion should be utilized to support artists in need during health emergencies, adding that it is a matter of both humanitarian responsibility and cultural respect.

It appealed for immediate government intervention to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the veteran singer.

Shakila Naz is widely recognized in Pashto music for her soulful voice and long-standing contribution to folk singing, having performed numerous popular songs that continue to resonate with audiences across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and beyond.