After years of efforts, the Senate of Pakistan has finally passed legislation granting royalties to artists.
Senator Faisal Javed Khan tweeted that the resolution had been passed unanimously by the Senate. The Chairman Standing Committee on Info and Broadcasting wrote;
“Congratulations, as the resolution has been passed by the Senate Pakistan unanimously today. Appreciate the support from all the members of the house.”
Congratulations as the resolution has been passed by the @SenatePakistan unanimously today. Appreciate the support from all the members of the house. #RoyaltiesForArtists https://t.co/VuP00p0wHC
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) January 17, 2022
Celebs from the biz also took to Twitter to laud this development. Those celebrating the move include Humayun Saeed, Salman Ahmad, Omair Rana, Adnan Siddiqui, Vasay Chaudhry, etc.
Congratulations to TV/Film fraternity @SenatePakistan has unanimously passed resolution with the objective to empower Copyright Board to fix royalties for licensing and assignment of work and ensure payments to artists. Thank u members of the house #RoyaltiesForArtists pic.twitter.com/S1O57FFuyg
— Humayun Saeed (@iamhumayunsaeed) January 17, 2022
More power to you @FaisalJavedKhan for raising a crucial arts & culture concern for reform. More needs to be done , especially due to the devastating effects of #COVID19 on #Artists in 🇵🇰 https://t.co/WJ6cQJevmO
— Salman Ahmad (@sufisal) January 17, 2022
This could be a true paradigm shift, a gae changer and a massive boost to the Culture-Related industries! I have yet to BELIEVE it. It's such a great news! #RoyalrtiesForArtists https://t.co/smGLP90Rnk
— Omair Rana 🇵🇸 (@omairana) January 17, 2022
Finally! It was due since a long time. Our artists deserve security and due recognition of their work. #RoyaltyBill
— Adnan Siddiqui (@adnanactor) January 17, 2022
BRILLIANT effort @FaisalJavedKhan Thank YOU and Best of luck for the Second and Step.#RoyaltiesForartists https://t.co/ceFtttmxcG
— vasay chaudhry (@vasaych) January 17, 2022
Efforts definitely picked up momentum after veteran actor Naila Jaffery’s video on the matter went viral in April 2021. That way artists would have sustainable income from multiple reruns of a production.
“Most countries around the world give royalties/residuals to artists every time a show, their work, is re-run, a second time or more. However, sadly in Pakistan, where many artists are already underpaid, there is no policy or law ensuring that artists be given financial credit for their work.”
Popular PTV actress Naila Jaffery has been suffering from cancer for 6 years۔
I don't know in which hospital he is undergoing treatment. I appeal to the Sindh government to help him as much as possible۔@MuradAliShahPPP @murtazawahab1 @FriehaAltaf @Sabhamid @madehanaqvi pic.twitter.com/s6GtLnnrrd— Pir Syed Shoukat Ali Bukhari (@BukhariSyed_PPP) April 4, 2021
The attention online did get the Sindh Culture to help fund the starlet’s cancer treatment. However, royalties for artists is the long-term solution to such dilemmas.