Veteran Pakistani actress Fazila Qazi has expressed concern about the criteria for the Presidential Awards, asserting that they are often granted due to personal connections rather than merit.
Appearing alongside her husband, actor Qaiser Nizamani, on Tabish Hashmi’s show Hansna Mana Hai, Fazila Qazi discussed how numerous deserving artists are overlooked for national recognition, according to reports.
She humorously remarked that she was thankful her husband received the Presidential Award during a period when such honors were solely based on artistic contributions rather than personal recommendations.
Fazila also revealed that the evaluation files for potential awardees are prepared, but hers has been left unattended for five years. She conveyed her frustration with the authorities, stating that those in charge seem to disregard the contributions of hardworking artists.
Presidential Award Winners Share Their Joy on Social Media:
Earlier this year, recipients of the 2024 Presidential Awards took to social media to celebrate their achievements, with several prominent figures expressing their gratitude.
Among the honorees was filmmaker Bilal Lashari, awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz for his exceptional contributions to Pakistani cinema. Celebrating the success of The Legend of Maula Jatt, he shared two Instagram posts—one displaying the award and another from the ceremony—crediting his family, friends, and colleagues for their unwavering support.
Vasay Chaudhry, another awardee, joyfully posted about receiving the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz. His first post displayed the award with thanks to the Government of Pakistan, while the second featured a photo of him proudly beaming after the ceremony, acknowledging the support of his family, friends, and fans.
Sajal Ali, honored with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, shared a video of herself accepting the award, dedicating her success to her family, especially her late mother, whose prayers and sacrifices she credited for her accomplishments.
Veteran actor Adnan Siddiqui, recipient of the Pride of Performance award, reflected on his 30-year journey in the entertainment industry. In an Instagram post filled with videos and photos from the ceremony, Siddiqui expressed his gratitude to his mentors and noted the absence of his late family members.
