Veteran Pakistani actress Fazila Qazi has voiced her criticism over the distribution of Presidential Awards, stating that they are often given based on personal connections rather than merit.
Fazila Qazi made these remarks during her appearance with her husband, actor Qaiser Nizamani, on Tabish Hashmi’s show Hansna Mana Hai.
In the interview, Fazila Qazi revealed that many deserving artists are overlooked when it comes to national recognition, as reported by Express news.
She sarcastically added that she was grateful her husband received the Presidential Award during a time when awards were given solely based on an artist’s work and not recommendations.
Fazila Qazi also disclosed that files are prepared for each artist who is considered for the award, but hers has been sitting idle for five years.
She expressed frustration with the authorities responsible, noting that those in charge seem to ignore hard-working artists.
Presidential Award winners express gratitude on social media
Earlier this year, the recipients of the 2024 Presidential Awards took to social media to celebrate their prestigious wins, with many well-known figures expressing heartfelt gratitude.
Among the awardees was filmmaker Bilal Lashari, who was honoured with the Sitara-i-Imtiaz for his exceptional contributions to Pakistani cinema.
Bilal Lashari, riding high on the success of The Legend of Maula Jatt, shared two posts on Instagram, one showing him proudly wearing the award and the other from the ceremony.
He expressed immense pride and credited his family, friends, and colleagues for their unwavering support throughout his journey.
Vasay Chaudhry, another notable recipient, shared his joy upon receiving the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz through two Instagram posts. In the first, he showcased an image of the award, thanking the Government of Pakistan and all those who supported his work over the years.
His second post was a solo picture of him beaming with pride after the award ceremony.
Vasay Chaudhry emphasised the importance of his family, friends, and fans in his career and expressed gratitude for their constant encouragement.
Sajal Ali, who was awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, also took to Instagram to share her achievement.
Posting a video of herself receiving the award, the actor credited her success to her family, especially her late mother, whose hard work and prayers she acknowledged as the driving force behind her achievements.
Sajal Ali expressed her commitment to continue making her mother proud through her dedication to her craft.
Veteran actor Adnan Siddiqui, recipient of the Pride of Performance award, penned a heartfelt note on Instagram, reflecting on his 30-year journey in the entertainment industry.
Sharing a mix of videos and images from the ceremony, Siddiqui expressed gratitude to the mentors who played a pivotal role in his career and acknowledged the significant absence of his late family members.
He dedicated the award to his fans and credited their continuous support for his enduring success.
