Lollywood avoids iftar parties | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Lollywood avoids iftar parties

LAHORE: Generally the bigwigs of Lollywood throw lavish Ramazan iftar parties nearly every day. However, this year, one third of the month of Ramazan has passed and until now Lollywood celebrities have not held any extravagant iftar parties.

Instead film stars, producers and directors are focusing more on generating funds for the flood victims than they are on feasting.

Many of the tinsel town members are working hard to generate funds for those affected by the floods. Recently, Afzal Jan who is popularly known as John Rambo, walked the streets of Lahore to raise funds for the flood victims.

However, he is not the only one who is campaigning to gather relief goods for those suffering at the hands of the floods and others celebrities have also been urging people to spend less this year on iftar parties and donate more in charity.

Director Sangeeta says that this Ramazan is not the time to arrange get-togethers and eat fancy foods; rather it is the time to do something for our brothers and sisters who have been affected by this natural disaster. “People in film industry aren’t arranging any iftar parties, simply because at this crucial time we ought to save everything we can and donate it for flood victims,” she said.

Film star Reema also believes that this isn’t the time for iftar parties so she wasn’t throwing any. “I think we should save every penny at this time and send it to help for flood victims. Hundreds of thousands of people are waiting for our help and the money which is otherwise spent on iftar parties should be sent to these people in need,” she maintained.

Actor Babar Ali shared her views and said that he thinks iftar parties should not be arranged this Ramazan and instead the maximum amount of funds should be donated for those who are suffering because of the floods. “It’s better to observe Ramazan simply this year and feel happy when the money which was to be spent on these parties reaches the flood victims and makes them happy for a few moments,” he said.

Aside from Lollywood, the Standing Committee on Culture has also come forward to play its role in gathering funds to help. In a recent meeting in Islamabad, the Standing Committee directed Lok Virsa and other cultural bodies to organise programs to raise funds for the flood victims.

By all accounts this Ramazan is going to be a simple one without minimal money spent on socialising and maximum money donated for those in desperate need.
Source: The Express Tribune
Date:8/23/2010