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Government funds would have been a burden on my conscience, says Nayla Jaffri

Government funds would have been a burden on my conscience, says Nayla Jaffri

The TV actor, currently battling cancer, refused government funds citing Indian tycoon Sajjan Jindal's visit to Pakistan
Updated 04 May, 2017

TV actor Nayla Jaffri, whose battle against cancer has been widely publicised, has declined funds from the federal government for her treatment.

"I'd like to thank President Mamnoon Hussain for facilitating funds for my treatment, but I don't agree with our government's policies and my conscience is more important than my life,” she told Images.

Also read: TV actor Nayla Jaffri says reports of her critical condition are exaggerated

The Thori Si Khushiyan star cited the example of Indian business tycoon Sajjan Jindal's recent visit to Pakistan, whose 'secret' meeting with the PM last week caused a stir on this side of the border.

"Even if Jindal had to come, we shouldn't have given him a free-access pass to Pakistan, protocols should have been followed," said Nayla.

"Bomb blasts are taking place on Pakistani soil, children are dying and people are protesting about Indian involvement. But all our government does is issue two lines of condolences. That's not how you express your pain - you do it by your actions."

The actor felt her life was insignificant compared to other Pakistanis who have lost their lives to violence and terrorism.

"Given that our country is plagued by bomb blasts and killings, what is the significance of my one life when so many others are being snuffed out?," she questioned. "The government funds would have been a burden on my conscience. With much gratitude for the effort, I'd like to now decline funds from the federal government, even though I initiated the application for funds."

Speaking about the progress of her treatment, she said, "I am returning to health with my fans’ prayers and am becoming capable of speaking and thinking for myself. I can't believe the way the elderly, children, young people reached out to me; women from Korangi, who would find it difficult to afford the Rs 50 bus ride to the hospital, packed their kids onto a bus and were at my hospital to donate blood to me. I’ve received so much love from people that if I die now, I will have no complaints."

Nayla, however, has accepted ‘a small amount’ from the Sindh Government Cultural Department, which she intends to pass forward as a donation to the Edhi Foundation once she returns to health and is able to resume work.

Comments

Concerned Pakistani May 04, 2017 03:07pm
Very childish stance by the actress. The money does not belongs to Nawaz but it is tax payer's money. She should accept the help. It is her right.
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Salman May 04, 2017 03:10pm
Get well soon Nayla!
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Harmony-1© May 04, 2017 03:19pm
Brave lady, great message - commendable. May Almighty give you good health - bless your heart.
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Aamir May 04, 2017 03:20pm
Brave and Patriotic Woman.
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Aftab May 04, 2017 03:25pm
I appreciate. God give you good health. Ameen
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Mudassir Hussain Azeemabadi May 04, 2017 03:29pm
Huge Respect & Prayers for Nayla Jaffri. I am convinced that our society is still alive.
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Ansari1991 May 04, 2017 03:37pm
Hats off to you Mam! You won my heart and instilled real conscience in me. Umair from Dubai
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Abuzar May 04, 2017 03:48pm
Miss Nayla Jaffri is absolutely right .
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Asif May 04, 2017 03:53pm
Mush Respect for this lady. Do we have to be worried about future if we have got mothers like them, NO. Very well done Ms. Jaffery.
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aleem May 04, 2017 03:53pm
So proud of you Nayla. I wish and pray for your speedy recovery. Your selfless attitude is an example for ordinary mortals like me and puts shame on our professional politicians who in spite of being mega rich drain the national wealth for their personnel benefit and their families and who have more love and affection for our enemies than our common man.
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Wasif May 04, 2017 03:59pm
I Salute you Naila. InshAllah you will be recovered soon. Special prayers from my side.
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immo May 04, 2017 04:06pm
Salute!!
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Joya May 04, 2017 04:10pm
This is strange loyalty. First you requested for release of funds. When funds were delivered to you, Suddenly love for the nation awaken in your heart and you rejected the requested amount............. God bless you health Nayla.......
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haris May 04, 2017 04:22pm
@Concerned Pakistani : I think you misunderstood what she says. Yes, she has shown her dissents towards Govt actions and policies but she rejected the money as she believes innocent people are dying on almost daily basis and there is no held responsible for that.
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Salahuddin May 04, 2017 04:51pm
Salute!!
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ghaznavi May 04, 2017 05:07pm
@Concerned Pakistani "Very childish stance by the actress. " I find your response very childish. We "the healthy" have no idea what she is going through. When faced with the greatest challenge to her life, It is but natural for her to get sensitive and carry a different perspective. I wish her a complete recovery. Ameen.
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CURIOUS MIND May 04, 2017 05:18pm
Before you was an actress, now you are a celebrity. wish you a quick recovery.
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Dawn May 04, 2017 05:29pm
An extremely brave stance! All truth. Nothing but truth. Salute and best wishes.
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Thoroughthinker May 04, 2017 05:56pm
I had a great liking for the actress but she has just lost it all by playing her insane politics on the sympathies of her wellwishers. Refusing any return of prayers, is highly insulting to the donors and would make others suffer by her refusing help, on similar apprehensions.
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Arvind Kumar Sinha May 04, 2017 06:57pm
So innocent ,so misinformed May God help her overcome illness
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Asif A Shah May 04, 2017 10:24pm
Dear Nayla! I wish you the best of health. The federal government wanted to help you because the people love you. Therefore, funds were not for you alone; it was the acknowledgement of the people' love for you as well. In addition, I will say that your complaint against Sajjan Jindal is not well founded. He was a guest in Pakistan. Moreover, he was here for a noble cause. Like you, I also feel sorry for the bomb blasts and the deaths of innocent people. That may very well be the result of some bad policies. However, politics is complex. One should never give up in trying to do some good in politics. Otherwise things can go from bad to worse. The present day Syrian tragedy is a case in point. I hope and pray that you may find peace with yourself. Good luck!
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iBNE kHULDUN May 04, 2017 11:19pm
@Concerned Pakistani By your definition , every self-respecting individual who refuses to avail himself welfare benefits & unemployment allowance in the west happens to be a child. For your information, treatment at state expense is not a right but charitable endowment.
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Fair opinions May 04, 2017 11:53pm
A brave woman Nayla Jafferi, devote your attention towards your illness,inshallah you'll be ok .You need not think on matters which are classified,let the people incharge sort it out. Be positive,be optimistic.I hope you an earliest recovery and all well.
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ukz May 05, 2017 12:30am
RESPECT with capital letters
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wajih qidwai May 05, 2017 12:31am
saying no at this stage really means something. Amazing!!!! All prayers for her health
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imran May 05, 2017 02:01am
won my heart but not my mind. money war not of Nawaz. they are spending our money on illegal visits of their personal friend but enemy of Pakistan. why not this money be spent on a lady like her.
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Starzan90210 May 05, 2017 04:28am
Now, that is a smart babe! Wish her & everyone good health!
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zaheer May 05, 2017 05:26am
This is politics. She is emotional. No doubt she Loves Pakistan, but this money also belong to her not Nawaz sharif etc.
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asad Mahmud May 05, 2017 07:02am
Lady seems to have faith in provider ,that too blind. I wish our leader's were also blessed with such faith ?
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Khursheed May 05, 2017 07:10am
I love her... She is beautiful , full of talent , smart.. I really wish from the depth of my heart that she not only gets well , but also comes back to the TV screen.
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CRICKET LOVER May 05, 2017 11:51am
@Asif A Shah What good cause you are talking about. Our government is not making anything public.
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CRICKET LOVER May 05, 2017 11:55am
@Thoroughthinker It is her own decision. She thinks that the money she is receiving for her treatment should be spent on other noble causes. Though she is entitled to it but it is her own decision. She did not try to hurt those who helped her in difficult time and for treatment. However, she is right to extend her well wishes to great Pakistan.
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Krishankant May 05, 2017 02:06pm
I hope she recovers from the eternal pain of cancer. However, she is wrong in accusing India to be spreading terrorism in Pakistan, on the contrary, she should ask Paksitani government to abandon terror as state policy. We will have much better world thereafter.
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Khalid Mansoor May 05, 2017 02:41pm
Daughter of the Land!!!!
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Khalifa May 05, 2017 05:14pm
Nawaz Sharif did not meet a criminal or a spy! He met a businessman. There is no legal and moral issue involved. The actress accepted the help from Sindh government. Every one knows how the affairs in Sindh Government are run. It is pointless to mention that if she is comparing the morality, ethics and principled position of the parties running federal and Sindh government, perhaps she made the wrong choice!
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Ammar May 05, 2017 05:31pm
very thoughtful. really appreciated. and get well soon. proud of you
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Azhar Iqbal May 05, 2017 05:35pm
My best wishes and prayers for your quick and complete recovery. I salute you for your patriotism which puts most of our so-called leaders to shame. The whole Pakistani nation is proud of you Nayla Jaffri. Stay blessed.
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Dervaish khan May 07, 2017 03:33pm
Courageous and straightforward. I will always remember you in my prayers . And I am sure that you know that a pray is the best gift.
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Saeeds May 11, 2017 08:52pm
Bravo girl My vote for her.
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