KARACHI: Soon after stepping in a dilapidated two rooms congested apartment, situated near Karachi's Moti Mahal area, I noticed that a 64-year-old man with straggly beard clad in shabby white kurta and pyjama with his right hand paralysed lying in the drawing room was none other but the Pride of Performance winning comedian Majid Jahangir, a prominent figure of the 1980s' most popular TV play 'Fifty-Fifty'.

Jahangir, who was honoured with Pakistan's highest civil award "Pride of Performance" for his remarkable role in 'Fifty-Fifty', was seen pessimist, helpless, and obsessed with great despair.

Derelict-like room having battered table with myriad of medals and awards on it including Pride of Performance award lying unattended covered with a layer of dust was showing his deep helplessness.

The artiste of big show of 1980s is facing severe financial crisis and health conditions; complains of negligence by government authorities, which has left him alone.

Majid played leading role of comedian in Fifty-Fifty, which went on-air during 1979 to 1985. He scripted and performed in different skits including Qawali, Newscaster and others in which he highlighted social and economical problems of masses.

Apart from working for PTV for nearly twenty-two years, Majid also worked in four Pakistani movies and did more than 35 stage shows besides radio plays.

After the closure on 'Fifty-Fifty' in 1985, he moved to USA where he did many odd jobs but his love to Pakistan brought him back to the country, where he remained in search of job and almost for past ten years, he could manage a few small work for himself.

Miseries grew up for the talented artiste just after he was paralyzed, two and a half months ago. He is unable to meet his treatment expenses and now, living in his late mother's apartment for last many years.

Majid said he had been left alone even his friends' attitude towards him is disappointing. He appealed to government authorities to provide him with financial assistance and best medical treatment to come out of despair.

"I was awarded Pride of Performance in 1981 during General Zia-ul-Haq's regime. But, today, in the era of democratic government no one from authorities had come to enquire even my health conditions," Majid told Daily Times.

He also complained of a Governor Sindh Relief Fund, allocated for the artiste, for not getting attention to his poor life.

Other skits 'Nahi Re Han Re,' 'Ajab Keh Raha Hai Bhai,' became talk of the town which was dually played by Majid and Ismail Tara and Majid became talk of the town. However regretting on his artists friend, he said that Ismail Tara, today, did not turn up to just enquire after his health.

Majid said he had great regard for Moin Akhtar, a legendary name of Pakistani television screen, who supported Majid on every nook and cranny of the career.

Sindh Government's Culture department had recently announced Sindh Endowment Fund for artistes, but he had not received any grant despite his name on the list of beneficiaries.

He has appealed to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan People's Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, Advisor to Sindh CM on Culture and Tourism Sharmila Farooqi and others for pragmatic steps to give him a new life by helping and granting a cash award and best medical treatment so he can spend his remaining days better.